Southend vs Swansea

Swansea City hit the road in the last of a gruelling three game away spell with a tricky test against play off contenders Southend United tomorrow afternoon.

Controversy surrounded the club after the 2-0 win over rivals Bristol City. Assistant manager Graham Jones was arrested by Somerset and Avon police after clashing with Rovers defender Danny Coles. Roberto Martinez will be hoping to put the events that marred the 2-0 win ; which saw the Liberty Stadium outfit go 9 points clear at the top of the leauge one pile with 9 games to play.

All that stands in Swansea's way to another 3 points in the push for the Championship are a Southend United side pushing hard to consolidate their play off place.

Steve Tilson's side have won 4 games in the last 6 and will pose a stern examination to a dominant Swansea outfit.

The South Wales club could go 12 points clear at the top if Yeovil Town win over 2nd placed Doncaster Rovers.

Swansea City Manager Roberto Martinez:

''Southend are very strong at home and they are enjoying a good moment of form.' They had a slow start to the season after coming down from the Championship, but sometimes it takes time to get disappointments like that out of your system.'

''This is a massive match - make no mistake about that,' said the centre back. 'The games are getting more and more important all the time because we're getting to the end of the season and this is the biggest game we've had so far this year. 'Swansea are a very good team - the best in the league in actual fact - but we're going into the game in such good form that we fully believe we can beat them.'

Nicky Bailey and Charlie Mulgrew will both undergo late fitness on their hamstring injury's before manager Steve Tilson clears the duo to play.

Alex Ravell is out with a hernia problem.

Shrimpers Top Gun:

Should Nick Bailey pass a late fitness test the Southend United's highly influential striker could prove the difference between the two sides. With 11 goals so far this season the midfeilder has been pivotal to Southend United's push to consolidate the Essex clubs play off push.

Swansea City's defensive injury crisis has deepened with the news that captain Garry Monk will be further sidelined for 3 games. Left Back Marcos Painter is also ruled out with a hamstring injury which will see him miss up to a month .

Andrea Orlandi and Paul Anderson continue their quest for fitness following a Hamstring and Knee injury. respectively.

Fabien Brandy will also miss the clash he he begins the first of a three match ban for a tackle on Rovers defender Danny Coles.

league one's top shot:

Signed from St Johnstone Jason Scotland has confounded critics to become the leauge one's top goal scorer; netting an impressive 25 goals so fat this term with 9 games yet to play. Scotland's power and strength will be vital to Swansea City's chances of coming away from Roots hall with 3 points.

The Form Book(based on previous 5 results)

Southend United

WDWDW

Swansea City
WLDLW

Referee: Mr Pat Miller
Assistant Officials:J P Magill and M D Stewart
Fourth Official I F Bentley
Pat Miller has officiated 24 games has brandished 67 yellow cards and given out 5 red cards

Vital Swansea predicts a 2-1 win for Swansea City.

Click here to predict the score

Swansea City vs Bristol Rovers
Coca Cola League One
The Liberty Stadium
24th March 2008
5.45pm KO

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