Southend United's misfit striker Neil Campbell will be handed a rare chance to lead Blues' attack at Third Division promotion chasers Darlington.

With ten-goal hitman Neil Tolson set to miss the rest of the season with a groin injury and Trevor Fitzpatrick suspended, Shrimpers boss Alan Little had been desperate to capture a loan forward this week.

But the Seasiders chief has failed to boost his forward line and has been forced to put his faith in 23-year-old Campbell, who has recently asked for a transfer because of his lack of first-team opportunities at Roots Hall.

"I've been trying to sign a forward on loan this week but none of my enquires have born fruit, which is something I will address again after the weekend," said Little before Saturday's game.

"Neil knows he has failed to produce for us when given a chance in the past and I expect him to make the most of this opportunity at Darlington.

"This is a big game for Neil because he has asked for a move away from Roots Hall and he needs to go out and use his strength and power for the good of Southend United as well as his own livelihood."

Fourth-placed Darlo are unbeaten at home in the league this season, winning nine and drawing five, but Little is confident his 15th-placed outfit can spring a surprise on the Quakers' notoriously bad Feethams pitch.

"It's a well known fact that Darlington's pitch is in a bad way and I'm sure the ball will bounce around a bit on what is an uneven and patched up surface - but it's the same for both sides," added Little.

"I keep hearing about how they haven't lost at home all season, but they've got to get beaten sometime and there's no reason why it shouldn't be us that bursts their bubble."

Campbell will be partnered in Blues' attack by Darlington old-boy Martin Carruthers, who has netted an amazing 14 goals in 23 league starts for Southend following a £30,000 move south from Feethams, and he is looking forward to his return.

"I wasn't given much of a chance to prove myself at Darlington and I want to show them that they made a big mistake letting me join Southend," said Carruthers today (Friday).

"They never gave me many games and I only scored a couple of goals during my time at the club, but I never found the net at Feethams, which is something I hope to put right with Southend tomorrow."

Campbell aside, Little will field an unchanged side at Darlington, but has added his other transfer-listed forward Neville Roach and rookie defender Tom McDonald to his travelling party.

Southend: Capleton, Beard, Jones, Morley, Coleman, New-man, Maher, Houghton, Tink-ler, Carruthers, Campbell. (Subs from): Connelly Cross, McDonald, Roach, Roget and Prudhoe.

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