ECHOSPORT talks to Halifax Courier reporter Tom Scargill ahead of this weekend's match.

What have you made of Halifax’s season so far?

"It's been a mixed bag, two wins and two defeats.

"They were poor at Yeovil in a poor game, but there were a lot of positives from the first three games, plenty of goals, some good build-up play, new signings settling in well.

"They should have drawn against Maidenhead on the opening day but conceded a sloppy late goal, but then recovered with impressive back-to-back wins against Woking and Altrincham.

The last time Southend visited Halifax it was in what is now League Two. How have Halifax found non-league and how has the club fought back since reforming?

"It's been quite a journey. They were demoted down to the Northern Premier League Division One North, and failed to get promoted in their first season - 2008-09.

"The appointment of Neil Aspin galvanized the club though, and under his leadership, they reached the top tier of non league thanks to three promotions, including with exciting players like Jamie Vardy and Lee Gregory.

"They then reached the National League play offs in 2013, an amazing achievement, but lost to Cambridge, and not long into the 2015-16 season Aspin was sacked after things started to go off the boil.

"The club went on to be relegated that season but in a bittersweet twist, reached the FA Trophy final, at Wembley, their first appearance there in their history, old or new club, and beat Grimsby 1-0, who had won the league that season.

"They bounced back into the National League at the first time of asking under Billy Heath, and under Pete Wild, reached the National League play offs again in his first season. So it's certainly been eventful!"

Who would you say is the dangerman?

"They announced the loan signing of Blackburn and Wales under 21 forward Jack Vale on Thursday night.

"Vale scored a hat-trick for Wales u21's on Tuesday night, so will be full of confidence, and is expected to feature on Saturday. Pete Wild says he has been chasing Vale for two years.

"If he doesn't start, Billy Waters would be the dangerman, he has three goals in his first four games since joining from Torquay this summer, and is a bundle of energy up front with lots of movement."

What are Halifax’s hopes for this season?

"To be competing for the play-offs I'd say.

"Not necessarily to get in them, I think the club and the fans know that would be a tough ask, while far from impossible.

"But if, like last season, they can have a chance of a top seven spot going into the climax of the season, while playing good, attractive football, then I think that's all the fans or the club can ask for given the disparity in resources compared to the teams they're competing with promotion for."

What’s the team news for Saturday?

"Vale is expected to be in contention, but it's unclear if he'll start or be on the bench. Wing backs Dom Tear and Jack Senior are both unavailable. Wild has alternated between 3-4-3 and 4-2-3-1 so far this season, opting for four at the back in both home games.

What kind of reception is Phil Brown likely to get on his return to his former club?

"Really positive I think. There'll be plenty of fans there who will have watched Brown captain the club and put in consistently strong performances for the club.

"I don't think he's been back as a manager or in any other professional capacity since he left, so it'll be a long reunion, but I'm expecting a warm reception for him.