SOUTHEND United boss Kevin Maher insists he will be taking the FA Trophy seriously this season.

Blues host Dorking Wanderers in the third round at Roots Hall on Saturday.

And Maher hinted that he will not be making too many changes.

“We haven’t had a midweek game and it’s eight days until the next match so, like we always do, we’ll put a team out to go and win it,” said the Blues boss.

“It’s a competition we will take seriously and we want to win games.”

However, Maher believes Dorking - who are seventh in National League South - will provide the Shrimpers with a stern test in their first ever outing in the FA Trophy.

“It’s a tough game, they’ve won their last two games and they beat the team top of the league on Tuesday,” said Maher, “When I was here before we had the runs in the LDV as it was then and the further you get in these competitions the more interested people get.

“You’ve got to come through the early rounds but we’ll be focused on Saturday and we will be ready for it.

“I’m sure they will be thinking they can come and cause an upset and I think it’s going to be a decent game.

“We always treat our opponents with respect.

“We’ve watched them and we will be ready but we’ll be focusing on ourselves and getting to the standard we know we need to get the result.”

Blues will again be without Josh Coulson (ankle) and Jack Bridge (knee) but Harry Phillips could return after recovering from an ankle problem.

“Harry trained for the first time since rolling his ankle,” said Maher.

“Hopefully he will be available for the weekend.”