Southend manager Steve Tilson will field a new-look side when Peterborough arrive at Roots Hall on Saturday afternoon.New-boys Kevin Betsy, Dan Harding, Steve Mildenhall, Paul Furlong, Osei Sankofa and Ian Joyce are vying to make their competitive debuts for the Shrimpers, who have also re-signed Anthony Grant and James Walker this summer on a permanent basis after successful loan spells with the club last summer.

Tilson has plenty of selection dilemmas to ponder and is also boosted by the likelihood of winger Damian Scannell and striker Walker recovering from groin and thigh problems respectively.

It remains to be seen whether Nicky Bailey will be involved after Crystal Palace had a bid rejected for the transfer-listed midfielder on Thursday while striker Lee Barnard is expected to lead the line in attack.

One man who definitely misses out is midfielder Alan McCormack, who is expected to be out of action for another seven weeks with a cartilage injury.

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