TED Smith and Luke Hyam will both be back in action for Southend United’s under-23 team at Luton Town this afternoon.

Goalkeeper Smith has been troubled with a shoulder problem for the past 13 months while midfielder Hyam has been out of action with an ankle injury since August.

But the duo are expected to line up against the Hatters this afternoon, much to the delight of Blues boss Chris Powell.

“Luke has been back in training and he’s been looking good so the plan is for him to have 45 minutes to an hour against Luton,” said Powell.

“Ted has been training for a while too but we’ve been making sure he’s right before bringing him back.

“Everyone wants the players yesterday now but you can’t rush and there are times when sometimes missing one game will let you play the next 20 and times when playing one game can make you miss the next 20.

“It’s a tough decision but we’re doing our best to get back a keeper who is in my mind a League One goalkeeper.”

Smith originally suffered a shoulder injury in September 2017 but returned two months later to keep a clean sheet in Blues’ under-23 team’s 2-0 win against Notts County.

However, Smith - who has made 29 first team appearances - suffered a partial dislocation of his shoulder and was eventually required to have surgery.

But the 22-year-old will be back between the sticks against the Hatters this afternoon while Hyam will line up in the centre of the park.

Hyam has made just two appearances so far this season.