Blues are expecting to run the rule over two trialists in this afternoon's reserve game against Colchester United (2pm).

Lee Wilson, a defender from Barton Rovers and Rochdale striker Scott Spencer should both be lining up at Roots Hall.

Spencer, 20, joined Rochdale during the summer but he has made just four subsitute appearances so far this season.

He has previously been with Everton who bought him from Oldham for £500,000 in July 2007.

Spencer failed to make the first team at Goodison Park but spent time on loan with both Yeovil and Macclesfield Town.

He is on non contract terms at Rochdale and so is Wilson at Barton.

The defender looks likely to be part of a back four which also includes the fit again Osei Sankofa.

The 24-year-old has been out since early October with a knee injury but he has been back in training for more than a week now and is now ready to return to action for the reserves.

Southend: Joyce, Sankofa, Wilson, James-Lewis, Clayton, Reynolds, Milner, O'Keefe, Calver, Spencer, Asante.

Subs: Crawford, Bentley. Dennis, Whittaker, Osifuwa.