Southend United have been paired with Oxford United in the First round of the Worthington League Cup.

Blues have been drawn at home in the first leg and will face the Second Division outfit at Roots Hall during the week commencing August 9, before travelling to the Manor Ground a fortnight later for the return leg.

The Shrimpers will be gunning for victory and a possible money spinning second round clash against Premier League opposition - following last season's meeting with Coventry City at the second stage, which the Seasiders lost 5-0 on aggregate.

However, Blues have never got past the third round of this competition and one man who will be hoping to end their interest in this year's league cup at the first attempt will be former Southend striker Andy Thomson.

The Scottish forward joined Oxford on a free transfer last season and was part of their side which lost its First Division status last term.

The Football League will be releasing the Third Division fixtures tomorrow and you can find out who Blues will be kicking off their 1999/2000 season against in later editions of Echosport.

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