SOUTHEND United will be aiming to prove their progression when they start their pre-season campaign at Dartford tonight.

Blues fielded a team of trialists who were not announced to the crowd or the media on their last visit to Princes Park at the start of last season’s warm-up fixtures.

And, after suffering a 2-0 defeat that night, Blues’ player coach Graham Coughlan now wants the team to show the togetherness which has been created during the last 12 months.

“Things are a lot more settled compared to our last visit to Dartford,” said Coughlan.

“That was the first time we had ever played together and nobody knew who anybody was.

“Thinking back to nights like that does make you realise how far we’ve come but we need to keep on moving forward.

“There’s a lot of hard work ahead and it begins with the friendly at Dartford tonight.”

Blues are expected to field a different line-up in both halves and plan to do the same at Great Wakering Rovers tomorrow night.

A few trialists should also figure after impressing in games which manager Paul Sturrock put on at the Boots & Laces training ground on Saturday.

Among those in action were former Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur winger Rohan Ricketts and ex-Southampton midfielder Jake Thomson. But Coughlan would not reveal who would be playing in Kent this evening.

“There will be players fans don’t recognise tonight but it’s a good chance for us to take a look at a few different people,” said the Irishman.

“I’m not at liberty to say who is playing but a few of the trialists impressed in the matches we put on and this is another chance for them to show what they can do.”

Blues have injury concerns over strikers Barry Corr and Blair Sturrock ahead of the game but summer signings Neil Harris, Alassane N’Diaye and Jemal Johnson will all feature.

FULL STORY IN MONDAY'S ECHO