AN extremely young Southend United side will take on Redbridge in the third round of the Essex Senior Cup at Roots Hall tonight.

Seven first scholars - five of which are just 16 - will start the contest against the Isthmian North outfit.

But coach Danny Heath does not want his side to use that as an excuse.

“Yes Redbridge are going to be physically superior but we have to look to use our own strengths,” said Heath.

“We’ve watched clips of Redbridge and we know they’re a good side but we want the boys to go out and give it their all.

“There’s no excuse for not running or not working as hard as you can and that’s what we expect.

“It’s an opportunity to play at Roots Hall which is always special and under the lights makes it extra special.”

Blues will be without Mikey Faulkner, Harrison Bradbury and George Pulham who are all cup tied but Beau MacDonald who has featured twice for the first team this season will start in a young side who are also in action tomorrow.

“We have Eastleigh and six of the boys starting tonight will start tomorrow too,” said Heath.

"We got permission to move the match from the National League but Eastleigh weren't able to find another date we could play.

“It’s a learning curve for the boys but who doesn’t love playing games of football?”

Tonight’s match kicks off at 7.45pm and will see goalkeeper Collin Andeng Ndi return from an ankle injury he suffered in mid-September.

The winner of this evening's encounter will head to Chelmsford City in the next round.