Southend United chief David Webb was waiting on the fitness of wounded widemen Scott Forbes and David Lee before finalising his team to face Torquay in tonight's (Tuesday's) FA Cup clash.

The Seasiders take on the Devon outfit in a first round replay at Roots Hall, hoping to set-up a second stage meeting with either non-league neighbours Canvey or Second Division Port Vale, who are also in rematch action this evening.

Both Forbes (thigh) and Lee (knee) were major doubts for last Saturday's 1-0 Third Division defeat at home against Cheltenham Town.

And Webb is desperate for his midfield flank duo to play through the pain barrier again tonight and provide the ammunition to shoot down the Gulls.

"We've got a very small squad and I can't afford to lose anybody at the moment," said the Blues boss, whose team drew the original cup encounter 1-1 at Plainmoor just over a week ago.

"But both Scott and David are struggling at present and I'll be leaving it right until the last minute before finalising my first-team plans.

"Scott's got a nerve problem in his back, which is giving him some pain in his thigh, and I'm told David's got trouble with his knee ligaments.

"Both lads are desperate to play though despite their problems and I hope they get the chance to face Torquay."

However, Webb said he wouldn't hesitate to throw in recently transfer-listed youngster Garry Cross if either of his first choice wingers cried off before the 7.45pm kick-off.

"Garry was obviously disappointed to be put on the list and he may get a chance to prove himself tonight," said Webb.

"He did well for the reserves last week when he came on as a substitute and helped set up two goals in our 3-1 Essex Senior Cup win over Harwich and Parkeston.

"If I have to throw Garry into the action against Torquay I'm sure he won't let us down."

Webb also warned his players they would have to put on a vastly improved performance against Torquay, following a woeful weekend outing against Cheltenham.

"I need a good reaction from the players," he said. "We have to bounce back straight away and battle if we want to overcome Torquay and make the next round.

"The last game at their place was a hard slog and it will be the same tonight. Our pitch isn't going to be the best because of the bad weather and will make our job even harder.

"But we're going to need to match Torquay man for man. This evening's game is going to be a tough fight and we need to win it!"

Southend (from): Flahavan, Booty, Searle, Roget, Whelan, Maher, Williamson, Lee, Forbes, Carruthers, Abbey, Cross, Morley, Fitzpatrick, McSweeney, Johnson, Kerrigan, Edwards, Porter.

Fitness battle - widemen Scott Forbes, right, and David Lee are both hoping to fight-off injuries for tonight's crunch FA Cup replay

Gulls' squad depleted

Injury-ravaged Torquay have serious problems ahead of tonight's FA Cup first round replay at Southend United.

The lowly Gulls, who enjoyed a rare Third Division win at the weekend, 2-1 against former West Ham striker Tony Cottee's Barnet, could be missing as many as seven first team regulars at Roots Hall.

Torquay, 21st in the League table, five points ahead of bottom placed Carlisle, are definitely without injured midfield duo, skipper Brian Healey (knee) and Chris Brandon (pelvis), plus defender Lee Russell (Achilles).

Left-winger Kevin Parker and hitman Effion Williams are both ruled out with knee trouble. While, right-back Paul Holmes is another casualty, sidelined by a rib injury.

However, Torquay hope to have inspirational left-back Robbie Herrera in contention for a first-team return.

The Gulls will also have giant centre-half Jimmy Aggrey, who missed the first meeting between the two sides, serving a one match suspension, back at the heart of their rearguard.

Torquay (from): Jones, Tully, Watson, Aggrey, Ford, Chalqi, Sissoko, Bedeau, Hockley, Hill, Herrera, Mendy, O'Brien, Neil, Ashington, Lyons, Northmore.

For the record

Blues' five-year FA Cup form:

96/97 3rd: Leicester City 2-0 Blues

97/98 1st: Woking 0-2 Blues, 2nd: Fulham 1-0 Blues

98/99 1st: Blues 0-1 Doncaster

99/00 1st: Torquay 1-0 Blues

00/01 1st: Torquay 1-1 Blues

Southend v Torquay - the

complete FA Cup record:

1930/31: Torquay 1-0 Blues

1931/32: Torquay 1-3 Blues

1957/58: Torquay 1-1 Blues, Replay: Blues 2-1 Torquay

1977/78: Torquay 1-2 Blues

1999/00: Torquay 1-0 Blues

2000/01: Torquay 1-1 Blues

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.