Southend United striker Neil Campbell was set to make his comeback in Blues' reserve team clash against Second Division Bournemouth at Roots Hall tonight.

The Shrimpers' second string coach Mick Gooding confirmed that the injury-jinxed hitman, who has netted twice in 12 games at first-team level, would play some part against the Cherries.

"Neil's had a succession of injuries since arriving at Roots Hall, but hopefully the worst is over for him now and he's about to turn the corner," said Gooding.

"Southend's fans certainly haven't seen the best of Neil yet."

The 22-year-old has been dogged by foot and hernia problems ever since he made a £15,000 switch south from Scarborough last term.

Campbell had a successful double-hernia operation over the summer and returned for pre-season training, before suffering another set-back with a stress fracture of the foot.

"It's been one problem after another for Neil and it was only last week that he couldn't strike a ball because of the pain in his foot," said Gooding.

"But Neil's trained okay during the last couple of days, so we've decided to give him a run-out against Bournemouth.

"He'll start on the bench tonight and we'll give him between 20 minutes and half-an-hour's play at the end of the game to ease him back in to competitive football after his long lay-off.

"Neil will need to play a few reserve games before he is anywhere near challenging for a first-team place, but at least he's moving in the right direction now.

"We'll be taking our time with Neil's rehabilitation because we don't want to him to suffer a relapse from being rushed back too soon."

Gooding, whose fringe players lost 4-1 at Brighton in their opening Avon Insurance Combination League fixture, will have a trialist goalkeeper in his squad tonight.

Stanford-le-Hope custodian Matthew Reed has been training with the Third Division side and Gooding will place him under scrutiny against Bournemouth.

"Matt's a local lad, who is looking for a new club and we'll run the rule over him at some stage against Bournemouth," Gooding added.

The 19-year-old has just been released by Premiership crisis club Newcastle United, where he served his apprenticeship after progressing through the Magpies' football academy.

Southend (from): Spittle, Cross, Kerrigan, Perkins, McDonald, Johnson, Maher, Livett, Fitzpatrick, Morrish, Clarke, McSweeney, Hunter, Campbell, Gooding, Reed.

Bouncing back - Campbell

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