Centre-back Jean-Yves M'Voto will play 45 minutes for Southend United's reserve side this afternoon at Ipswich Town.

The French defender recently rejoined the Blues on loan from Sunderland until the end of the season.

Following 16 weeks on the sidelines M'Voto is short of match fitness and boss Steve Tilson said he would play half of today's second string fixture.

"Jean's obviously short on match fitness," Tilson told southendunited.co.uk.

"He will play 45 minutes against Ipswich and no more as we don't want to rush him back.

"After being out for so long the last thing we want to do is push him too hard at this early stage.

"We will see how he gets through today and then take it from there."

Meanwhile, Blues have also included Jean-Francois Christophe, Johnny Herd and Dougie Freedman in their starting line-up.

United will also start striker Scott Spencer who came off the bench for the first team last weekend to score a consolation goal against Huddersfield Town.

Kick-off is at 2pm and the match will be played at Ipswich's training ground.

Southend United: Ian Joyce, Jean-Francois Christophe, Jean-Yves M'Voto, Duran Reynolds, Johnny Herd, James Walker, Jamie Dennis, Stuart O'Keefe, Kyle Asante, Scott Spencer, Dougie Freedman.

Subs: Harry Crawford, Adetayo Osifuwa, Marcus Milner, Merrick James-Lewis, Justin Hazell.