SOUTHEND United boss Kevin Maher is expecting a tough return to action at Altrincham tomorrow.

The Shrimpers head north for their first game in a fortnight.

But Maher knows it will be far from straightforward against an Altrincham side sitting fifth in the National League standings.

"They deserve to be up there with how well they've played and they're very organised,” said Maher.

"They have a lot of dangerous players on the pitch and it’s a tough place to go .

“We won there the year before last and lost there last year but they're a very good side.

“It’s always tight when we play them and we'll be prepared like we always are."

Blues have also gone seven league games without defeat and Maher feels the squad have been boosted by not having a fixture to play last weekend.

"We had a break and it's been important to get the rest and recovery right since then with the small squad we've got," said Maher.

"We've had a full week's training this week and it was a good time for a bit of a break.

"It's been something positive I think."

And the break has also enabled Maher to get work done in other areas.

“There's a lot of stuck we've looked at,” said Maher.

“A lot of work has gone on behind the scenes in terms of recruitment and what it looks like for the future.

“We've focused on what we can do moving forward.

“We've gone through things we think we're good at and things we need to work on.”

And Maher is keen to look forward not back.

“We've had a good run but that's in the past and our full focus in on looking forward and doing our best at a very difficult place to go,” said Maher.

“We've performed well recently but we have to keep it going.