Cobblers v Southend. Early team news

Last updated : 13 April 2009 By Dave Foster
The midfielder left the Memorial Stadium on crutches after taking a whack on the calf in the Cobblers' 1-0 defeat at Bristol Rovers.

Luke Guttridge will definitely be absent after a knee problem ruled him out against the Pirates, while another midfielder in the shape of Ryan Gilligan could be rested having only recently returned from surgery.

Town boss Stuart Gray said: "Giles got a kick in the calf, so whether Monday will be too early or not is yet to be seen.

"One or two others are carrying knocks or have just come back - Ryan (Gilligan) has just had a cartilage operation and put in a full shift for us."

Veteran striker Dougie Freedman could be in line for a recall for Southend .

Fit-again Freedman had to settle for a place on the bench against MK Dons. The Shrimpers were wasteful in front of goal in their home defeat on Good Friday and that could see the 34-year-old restored to the starting line-up.

Midfielder Kevin Betsy will also be hoping to get a chance in the starting XI after coming on as a second-half substitute against the Dons.

Strikers Alex Revell and James Walker remain the only players unavailable to manager Steve Tilson. Revell is recovering from a broken leg and Walker is sidelined with a hamstring injury.

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