Rookie Southend United goalkeeper Daniel Gay is determined to take his big chance with both hands against Luton Town at Roots Hall.

Hot shots - Blues fans will be hoping strikers Barrington Belgrave (left) and Tes Bramble (centre) -- seen with midfield team-mate Stuart Thurgood -- can hit the target against the Hatters tomorrow at Roots Hall. Picture: TERENCE BUNCH 5DCGL17C

The 19-year-old will make his full League debut against the high flying Hatters tomorrow, as Blues' ever present shot-stopper Darryl Flahavan is sitting out a one-match ban.

And Gay, who has tasted just 12 minutes of Third Division action after replacing red carded Flahavan during the 1-0 win at Rochdale two weeks ago, is ready to make his mark.

"These are the sort of opportunities you dream about and it will be something I will remember for the rest of my life," said Gay.

"It's a massive game against one of the best sides in our division and all I want to do is prove myself.

"I'm more excited than nervous, but I'm sure there will be a few butterflies flapping around my stomach before kick-off.

"But I've been sitting on the bench all season and I have to make the most of this opportunity."

The former Norwich City youngster also said he would take inspiration from Blues striker Barrington Belgrave's two-goal blast during the 4-2 Boxing Day win over Rushden and Diamonds.

"I've known Baz since I was 12 as we were both at Carrow Road together," he added.

"Barrington had to wait a while for his chance and he certainly took it against Rushden with his two goals and I was really pleased for him. Hopefully, I can follow suit and do the same."

Southend are 12th in the Division Three standings and take on a Luton team who are currently in second place, three points behind the leaders Plymouth Argyle.

Shrimpers boss Rob Newman said: "I want a repeat of our 3-2 FA Cup win over Luton here last month.

"We've gone six matches without defeat now and this will be another very hard test."

Winger Scott Forbes is fit after recovering from an ankle injury, but right-back Mark Beard is sidelined after having his appendix removed.

And six-goal frontman Mark Rawle is likely to start on the bench again, following Belgrave's Boxing Day wonder show.

Southend (from): Flahavan, Searle, Broad, Whelan, Cort, Newman, Hutchings, Maher, Thurgood, Belgrave, Bramble, Clark, Rawle, Kerrigan, McSweeney, Johnson, Richards, Forbes, Sansome.

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Published Friday December 28, 2001