PETER Taylor feels Southend United will face a big test when two of his former teams go head-to-head in the first round of the FA Cup this weekend.

Taylor has managed both the Shrimpers and their opponents on Sunday, Dover Athletic.

And, despite making Blues favourites to win, he does not think Sol Campbell’s side will have things all their own way.

“Southend are favourites for the game because of the League they play in but this game will be a big test for them,” said Taylor.

“Dover will be able to play with freedom and Southend probably won’t be able to do that so there is the potential for a cup shock.

“The situation Southend find themselves in right now means they must be short on confidence and they will have to be able to match Dover with their football but also physically as well.”

The Shrimpers head into the first round tie sitting second from bottom in the League One standings, with just five points from their first 17 games.

And Taylor feels Blues must do more to stop the opposition.

“Obviously I always keep an eye on Southend but the only game I’ve seen this season was the MK Dons one in the cup where they looked a nice footballing side but didn’t do enough to stop them playing,” said the former England caretaker manager.

“If they do that at Dover and just go there to play nice football and not to match them physically then they could be in trouble.”

Dover are currently 12th in the National League table.

But Taylor - who will be watching the game as a pundit for BT Sport - knows the Kent club are capable of producing a good performance.

“It will be a good game and in Andy Hessenthaler Dover have a good young manager,” said Taylor, 66.

“His side play some good stuff and they play with a back four or an attacking back five so I’m looking forward to being there.”

However, Taylor - who is based in Benfleet - also feels Sol Campbell will soon start to have an impact on Blues.

“I’m sure Sol will have lifted the Southend players,” said Taylor.

“He did an incredible job in keeping Macclesfield up last season and I’m sure he will turn things around at Southend too.”

Taylor, who also lined up for the Shrimpers during his playing career, was Blues boss between 1993 and 1995 before spending the 1995/96 season in charge of Dover. He left the Kent club to become manager of England’s under-21 team.