JOHNNY Herd wants Blues to ease their relegation fears with victory over Bristol Rovers tomorrow.

Steve Tilson’s side have tasted just one win in their last 13 league games and are now just six points above the dreaded drop zone.

That makes victory vital this weekend and Herd is desperate to come out on top against the Pirates.

“This is a massive match for us tomorrow,” said the 19-year-old left-back.

“I think we find ourselves in a fight against relegation at the moment and we need to get a win.

“If we can do that then things will begin to look better but we can’t afford to keep on losing matches.”

Blues have also lost four of their last five league games and have taken just seven points from the last 39 on offer.

They are now also second from bottom in the form guide and have scored only three times in 10 outings.

Yet, despite the mounting doom and gloom, Herd insists there is no problem with the team’s confidence.

“That’s fine - we just need to start doing a bit better in both penalty areas,” he stressed.

“We aren’t scoring enough goals and at the other end we’ve been letting some sloppy ones in.

“We conceded a couple early on against Leeds from corners which killed us but we regrouped well to avoid what could have been a cricket score.

“But now we need to start well and get the win we really need.”

Herd will again line up at left-back and is delighted to have established himself in the strating line-up following Dan Harding’s return to Ipswich Town on the completion of his loan spell with the Seasiders.”

“It’s brilliant,” said Herd.

“I feel like I’ve done OK and hopefully I can stay in the side now and keep on improving.”

Southend are boosted by the return of Peter Clarke and Anthony Grant from suspension tomorrow, while Alan McCormack is back after recovering from a slight groin strain.

New boy Dorian Dervite is also in the squad but there is again no Dougie Freedman (thigh).

James Walker (hamstring), Alex Revell (broken leg), Francis Laurent (ankle) and Richie Foran (back) are all still missing.

Southend (from): Mildenhall, Sankofa, Clarke, Barrett, Herd, Francis, McCormack, Christophe, Moussa, Barnard, Robinson, Grant, Scannell, O’Keefe, Joyce and Dervite.

>FIVE lucky Echosport readers will be watching tomorrow’s clash at Roots Hall after winning our competition which was held in conjuction with Southend United.

William Byrne, Tracy Elphick, Sandra Adccock, Claire Leveridge and Katy Radford all correctly answered that it was Adam Barrett who joined the Shrimpers from Bristol Rovers.

They will now see the game from the family enclosure.

Tomorrow’s match is also Southend’s latest family fun day and X-Factor finalist Laura White will be singing before the game.