Gills without Flitney and Lee

Gillingham boss Andy Hessenthaler will be forced into at least two changes when his side host Southend.

Goalkeeper Ross Flitney, who has started every npower League Two game this season, has undergone knee surgery and faces a month on the sidelines.

Paulo Gazzaniga is set to deputise, with teenager Daren Hawkes recalled from his loan at Maidstone and set to provide cover on the substitutes' bench.

Matt Lawrence and Jack Evans will contest the right-back slot as Charlie Lee is ruled out with a knee problem.

Hessenthaler must also make a late call on whether Jack Payne is fit to start in midfield as he battles to shake of the ankle injury he picked up during the 4-3 defeat at Accrington last time out.

Ankle problems are definitely going to prevent Matt Fish and Simon King from participating.