SOUTHEND United manager Chris Powell is confident Stephen Humphrys will be fit to face Accrington Stanley tomorrow.

The striker was substituted during the first half of Saturday’s 3-3 draw against Portsmouth after suffering a dead leg.

But Powell is hopeful Humphrys, who has scored three goals in six games since signing, will be available this weekend.

“We’re hopeful Stephen will be OK for the game,” said Powell.

“It was a dead leg he suffered at the weekend but I was worried it was something more serious at the time.

“We’ll see how he is but he has a good chance of being fit.”

Blues fought back from three goals down to draw with Portsmouth last time out.

But Powell’s side have now gone five games without a win.

Accrington ended their own long wait for a victory with a 4-2 triumph against Oxford United on Tuesday night.

And Powell - whose Shrimpers side are locked level on 40 points with Accrington - feels the victory will see Stanley in good spirits.

“They hadn’t scored since 2018 and I don’t think they had won since Boxing Day so the last couple of games will have been good for their confidence,” said Powell.

“They drew at Sunderland before beating Oxford so they’ve had a couple of good results and we know what it’s like going there.

“They play their way and I’m sure they will be looking to get their own back on us for the defeat they suffered against us earlier on in the season.

“It’s a game we have to be ready for.”

Blues head into the clash having conceded six goals in their last two games.

And Powell has been working hard to improve the Shrimpers’ defending.

“They were poor goals we gave away at the weekend,” said Powell.

“I couldn’t get them out of my head on Saturday after the game and Sunday as well.

“It’s all well and good talking about the ones we scored to get back into the game but actually it was the ones we conceded I’m looking at.

“We’ve looked back at them and we know we must do better.”

The Shrimpers again look set to line-up with the same back four as John White remains sidelined with a groin problem.

Fellow centre-backs Rob Kiernan and Harry Lennon both returned from injury to line-up for the under-23s against MK Dons on Monday.

But Powell feels the duo are not yet ready to return.

“They’re on the bench by default if we’re being honest,” said Powell.

“Rob Kiernan has been out for 18 or 19 months but he played 45 minutes for the under-23s on Monday.

“Harry played an hour but was still recovering on Tuesday.

“I’d be loathed to put them on early on because I’m not too sure they would last.

“But if I bring them on for a half or less I would hope their experience would get them through.

“They know that but I’d much rather them being in and around it helping and motivating the group.

“They’re two good characters and they’ve been training, which is great.

“But they’re still some way off being at the level we want them to be at.”

Blues are currently 13th in the table.