Southend United assistant manager Graham Coughlan says he expects to see a reaction from the players when the Blues make the short trip to take on Gillingham on Saturday.

The Blues go to Kent on the back of a disappointing defeat to Chesterfield in midweek, and Coughlan admits there is likely to be changes, with the whole squad battling for a starting berth.

“We're expecting a reaction,” the 40-year-old said at Boots & Laces Training Ground on Thursday morning.

“It wasn't acceptable at Chesterfield on Tuesday night, and that's the words the players used afterwards as well.

“We have a resilience about us and normally, when we lose we're chomping at the bit to get back out there.

Blues head to the table-toppers in decent form, despite Tuesday's defeat, whilst the Gills have won the last four and unbeaten in their last six games.

And Coughlan knows the match against ex-Southend man Justin Edinburgh's side will be a tricky encounter.

“They're a confident team who are top of the league, score a lot of late goals and goals from set pieces. 

“They'll be a tough opposition but I'm looking forward to seeing what our lads can produce on Saturday. We're focussing on what we can do though”