Teenage Southend United defender David McSweeney is ready to help Blues fight their crunch Third Division promotion battle against seaside rivals Blackpool at Roots Hall tomorrow.

The 19-year-old from Basildon should earn a first team recall against the Tangerines at right-back in place of the suspended Martyn Booty.

And McSweeney, who has made an impressive senior breakthrough this term, is determined to keep the seventh placed Shrimpers in play-off contention.

"The Blackpool game is a massive one for all of us and we need to beat them," said the youngster.

"They are only four points ahead of us in the league table and we have to close the gap tomorrow.

"But we will need to perform much better than we did against York midweek. We lost 1-0 up there and never really got going.

"It was a poor display, but I'm sure it was just a one-off lapse and all the lads will be determined to put things right against Blackpool."

McSweeney sat out the York debacle on the substitutes' bench, but he is already being touted as Blues' long-term future right-back.

The fullback has made ten senior appearances this season and has enjoyed a starring role during the Shrimpers' run to the southern final of the LDV Vans Trophy.

And McSweeney was quick to praise Southend boss David Webb for influencing his prospering Roots Hall career.

"I didn't get many opportunities under our old manager Alan Little, but the current gaffer has been excellent for me," added McSweeney.

"He has given me a chance to prove myself in the first team and although the tempo is much faster I think I've coped fairly well.

"The manager has told me that he is happy to gradually ease me into the first team picture.

"But if I have a good game against Blackpool he might give me an extended run in the side!"

Webb marked his return as Southend manager at Blackpool last October, masterminding a 2-2 draw after his stuttering side had fallen two goals behind.

And he admitted he was impressed by the Tangerines' free-scoring front-paring of John Murphy and Brett Ormerod.

"When we visited Blackpool they were struggling, but when I saw their two forwards I couldn't work out why," said Webb.

"But something has clicked into place since they have swiftly climbed the league."

Blues' only doubt is head injury victim, striker Tes Bramble. Key midfielder Kevin Maher sits out the last match of a two game ban.

Southend (from): Flahavan, McSweeney, Searle, Whelan, Hutchings, Johnson, Thurgood, Black, Lee, Carruthers, Rawle, Abbey, Williamson, Webb, Newman, Bramble, Wardley, Porter.

n Blackpool rock? - David McSweeney may be given the responsibility of halting Blackpool's prolific strikeforce tomorrow. Picture: LUAN MARSHALL

By Bernie Friend

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

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