ENGLAND’S World Cup quarter-final clash with Sweden means Southend & EMT will be fielding a depleted team against Chelmsford tomorrow.

Some of Southend’s players have chosen to watch Gareth Southgate’s team on television instead of lining up at Southchurch Park.

And skipper Tom Phillippe - who himself is unavailable - is expecting a difficult afternoon for Southend.

“This weekend will be a tough game and England making the quarter-finals has not helped with selection,” said Phillippe.

“A few of us are missing this weekend through work and some are missing it to watch the football as Chelmsford did not agree to move the time of the game to allow us to watch it.

“However, the side we are putting out have all played ones cricket before and I’m sure they are more than capable of putting in a great performance and getting our third win in a row.

“Scott Simmons will skipper the team this week and I am backing him and the boys to bring home a win.”

Despite securing back-to-back victories, Southend remain bottom of the Shepherd Neame Essex League Premier Division standings after being handed a 25 point deduction before the season got underway due to an administration error.

However, they are now starting to close the gap on the teams immediately above them and will be hoping to maintain their progress with a win against sixth-placed Chelmsford.

Hadleigh & Thundersley - who sit second from bottom in the standings - are 22 points ahead of Southend and head to second-placed Brentwood tomorrow.

Hadleigh were beaten by Southend last time out and are keen to get back on track this weekend.

“I think everyone is just keen to go out and put a performance in after last week’s result,” said Hadleigh’s press officer David Williams.

“It’s very tight at the bottom of the league and every point up for grabs could prove to be vital come the end of the season.”

Hadleigh were promoted from Division One last season along with Billericay, who are currently seventh in the standings.

Billericay were beaten by Chingford on Saturday after being bowled out for just 91.

And Lee Knight’s side will be desperate to produce an improved display when they travel to fourth-placed Hornchurch tomorrow.