Southend United's youth team kick off their campaign at home to Millwall tomorrow.

And manager Ricky Duncan is confident of another successful season.

Duncan has established his side as one of the strongest in the Youth Alliance League and he is hopeful of again pushing for honours and producing more talented players this term.

"We've assembled a good side and we're expecting a lot from them this season," said Duncan.

"The new scholars have been in our centre of excellence for some time now so we know how talented they are and they have fitted in well to what we are trying to achieve.

"We're hopeful of having another successful season but the number one aim as always is to get players pushing through for the first team."

Duncan has seen Franck Moussa, Johnny Herd, Stuart O'Keefe and Harry Crawford all push on in recent seasons and he is certain that there are others capable of following in their foot-steps.

"Merrick (James-Lewis) has pushed on to be involved with the first team and it looks like he will be getting a professional deal which is great," said Duncan.

"Harry has stayed involved too and there are others who we feel we can join them. Kane Ferdinand has been unbelievable in pre-season and looks as though he is stepping away from youth football.

"I've told the manager about him and he's looking very strong indeed."

But Ferdinand and the rest of his team will need to be in good form tomorrow at Boots and Laces as Millwall beat Blues three times last season and are again expected to be pushing for the league title.

"Millwall are always one of the best sides in the league," said Duncan.

"It will be a very hard test but it will be a good gauge of where we're at at this moment in time."