Guess could be back for Southend (From Echo)

Guess could be back for Southend

7:40am Friday 20th January 2012 in Rugby Union By Chris Phillips

SOUTHEND hope to have influential prop forward Michael Guess back for tomorrow’s home clash against Hertford.

Guess has missed the Seasiders’ last five matches with a hamstring strain.

But their director of rugby Chris Green is confident he could return to action this weekend.

“There is a chance Guessy could be fit for us and that would be a massive boost,” said Green.

“I think we’ve won most of the matches he’s played but he hasn’t been able to stay fit.

“Hopefully he will get the go ahead to play this weekend though because it’s an important game and we need a win.”

Southend have won four of the seven games Guess has started so far this season.

But they go in to this weekend’s showdown short of form having suffered five defeats in their last six outings.

Their latest reverse came at high-flying Worthing last weekend, where they lost 29-5.

And Green is demanding an improvement.

“We need to start doing the basics well again,” he stressed.

“We have to keep hold of the ball better and stop coughing it up so easily. We also need to not miskick or give away penalties and also take the chances that come our way.

“At Worthing it was 10-5 until quite late on and we wasted some good opportunities to get tries.”

Those chances will need to be taken this weekend against an unpredictable Hertford side.

They are currently 13th in the National Two South standings but won at promotion pushing Hartpury College 24-22 just before the Christmas break.

And Green is therefore expecting another tight and tough tussle.

“Hertford won promotion last season and I think they’re doing well,” said Green.

“They’re looking to consolidate at this level and have had some good results so we’re expecting a difficult game.”

Hertford beat Southend 39-11 back in October.

But as the Seasiders bid to get revenge they could also be boosted by the return of top try scorer Danny Cleare.

He has been out since November with a knee injury but played for the second team last weekend and could earn a recall for the clash at Warners Bridge.

Fellow winger Billy Driver is also available again but winger Andrew Frost (sternum) is doubtful along with back row Dan Johnson (hand).