SOUTHEND United could be missing both their first choice strikers for tonight’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy clash at Barnet.

For Barry Corr (hip) and Blair Sturrock (hamstring) face late checks on their fitness.

And they could well both miss out on the second round clash at Underhill.

“They were both looking dogged against Lincoln on Saturday so we will have to see how they are,” said Blues boss Paul Sturrock.

“They had some tightness and had to come off but Blair wasn’t as bad as Barry so it’s something we will need to make a decision on.”

The on loan Nathaniel Jarvis, Harry Crawford and Matt Paterson are all pushing to replace the forwards if they fail to recover in time to take on Bees.

But Sturrock will definitely be forced in to at least one change as midfielder Michael Timlin is cup tied having played in the first round for Swindon Town at Southampton.

Louie Soares or Adam Bouzid are in line to replace him but the Blues boss will not be making too many other alterations to his team as he is keen to reach the latter stages of the competition.

“I’d like to do as well as I can in the Johnstone’s Paint,” said Sturrock.

“I’ve never been a cup person so it would be nice to have a good run and it would go hand in hand with our league games too.

“People would want to play in the big games we could get and would have to play well in the league to do that.

“So I’m not going to dolly up the team or change a line-up which has been doing well.”

Left-back Johnny Herd is unlikely to be involved though as he looks set to spend a week training with Crewe Alexandra with the possibility of making a loan switch to the Railwaymen.

Blues are also interested in signing Crewe striker Calvin Zola on loan.

Club officials confirmed Crewe had agreed to send the 25-year-old out on a temporary basis but they had not yet heard back from the player.

However, Crewe boss Dario Gradi has suggested Zola does not want to join Blues.

“He could have gone to Southend if he'd wanted to, but he didn't want to go,” confirmed Gradi.