The Preview: Southend v Hull City

The waiting is almost over with Southend’s highly anticipated FA Cup fourth round with Hull City almost here as Phil Brown gets a chance to get one over one of his former sides, who he has said he would’ve kept in the Premier League had he not been sacked.

Ryan Leonard and Barry Corr will be desperate to be fit for this one, and we’ll need them to be involved to give us a better chance of pulling off an upset. The ‘niggles’ they’ve had should be overcome but Corr’s not training this week. Luke O’Neill came in to replace John White but both are out.

Nikica Jelavic and Shane Long, who cost more combined than Southend might ever be likely to spend, are cup tied so won’t be playing for Hull. Yannick Sagbo and Matty Fryatt are expected to come as the Premier League side rotate things around. Tom Huddlestone, James Chester, Robbie Brady and Sone Aluko all miss out for Hull.

It’ll take some effort from us but if we’re as up for it as the crowd will be, we have a bit of luck and Hull aren’t as keen as we are of getting into round five I think an upset could be on. I’ll not say I’m expecting it but I do think it’s possible.