Southend United forward Daniel Webb said Blues were fully focused on their Third Division trip to Macclesfield Town tomorrow, despite the tragedy surrounding referee Mike North.

The 41-year-old Poole official collapsed and died from suspected heart failure during last Monday's abandoned Roots Hall match against Mansfield.

But Daniel Webb, the 17-year-old son of Shrimpers boss David, said all the players were in the right frame of mind to resume league action.

"The death of Mr North devastated everybody at the club," said Daniel, who is the youngster member of Blues' First team squad. "There has been a huge sense of disbelief around Roots Hall this week, but we know as a team that we have to remain professional.

"We were back in training the day after the Mansfield game and all our thoughts are concentrated on winning three points at Macclesfield tomorrow."

The Silkmen are just one place and four points below Blues in the league table, but have played three matches more than the Shrimpers.

Southend need a win at the Moss Rose Ground to keep their promotion hopes alive. Blues are eight points adrift of the play-off berths, but have three games in hand on Scunthorpe United, who currently hold the coveted seventh spot.

And Daniel Webb, who has blasted an impressive seven goals in seven reserve team outings, wants to spearhead the Seasiders' late charge on the promotion places.

"I began the game against Mansfield, which was my first start for three months, and I hope to get another chance tomorrow," said Webb junior.

"I've done fairly well in the reserves recently, hitting a few goals along the way, and it would be nice to take that form into the first team.

"I'm still waiting for my first senior Southend goal and Macclesfield would be as good a place as any to get it."

And Webb senior urged his team to go all out for victory. "We're still in with a shout of the play-offs and it would be brilliant to win our last six games," said the Southend manager.

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"This has been a difficult week for everybody at the club and all the lads are looking forward to getting on with playing football again."

The Seasiders travel north plagued by injury. Defenders Martyn Booty and Carl Hutchings (both thigh) will miss out again. And midfielder Russell Williamson is recovering from a leg operation.

Striker Ben Abbey is going to see a specialist for advice on a hernia problem. But fellow front-runner Mark Rawle is expected to shake off a groin strain.

Southend (from): Flahavan, McSweeney, Searle, Whelan, Broad, Maher, Johnson, Black, Forbes, Bramble, Webb, Rawle, Thurgood, Newman, Lee, Wardley, J Lunan.

l Blues defender Leo Roget's loan spell at First Division Stockport County has been extended until the end of the season, while both clubs resolve a permanent £50,000 move.

Focused - Daniel Webb

By Bernie Friend

Reporter's e-mail: bernie.friend@notes.newsquest.co.uk

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