SOUTHEND United’s under-23 team coach Kevin Maher feels the Shrimpers youngsters face their toughest test of the season at Billericay Town tonight.

Blues make the trip to the AGP Arena in the quarter-finals of the Essex Senior Cup.

And Maher - whose side suffered a 7-3 defeat to Billericay in the same competition last term - is expecting a stern test.

“I would say this will be the toughest test the players have had this season but we’ll go there and have a go,” said Maher.

“Billericay are a very good side and they play in the National League South, which is a good league.

“They are going through a bit of transition at the moment and have lost a few players but they’re still very strong and have some very good players.

“We all know what happened there last season and it shows how tough it is going there but it will be a good test for the players.

“It’s good for them to be getting these kind of games.”

Blues are expected to field a complete under-23 team against Billericay, with goalkeeper Ted Smith set to line-up between the sticks after recovering from shoulder and hamstring injuries.

Striker Charlie Kelman, who scored on his League debut for the Shrimpers against Plymouth Argyle at the weekend, is not expected to feature.

But Blues warmed up for the fixture by beating Aveley 4-2 in a friendly last Wednesday in a game Maher felt was much needed.

“We hadn’t played in a month so we needed a run out,” said the former Blues midfielder.

“It did everyone a lot of good.”