Rotherham will be hoping to return to winning ways when they travel to struggling Southend and you can find all of the key information ahead of the clash below...
Fixture: Southend United vs Rotherham United
Competition: Sky Bet League One
Date: Saturday 14th December 2019
Kick-Off: 3:00pm
Venue: Roots Hall
Referee: C. Breakspear
Southend
Form: LLWLDL
League Position: 22nd
Top Scorer: Stephen Humphrys
Southend have suffered from an extremely poor start to the season and if not for Bolton’s point deduction, they’d be sitting at the bottom of the table.
Saturday’s hosts have the worst goal difference in the entire division with minus 37, sit 11 points from safety, and have lost their last five home league games.
However, recently appointed manager Sol Campbell will be desperate to try and kickstart the Shrimpers season and claim the club’s first home win of the campaign.
Full-back Nathan Ralph dislocated his shoulder in Southend’s 1-1 draw with Burton Albion and is expected to be on the sidelines for several months.
Former Leicester City striker Tom Hopper is a doubt after he suffered a gash in his leg in the defeat against Bristol Rovers, but defender Harry Lennon returns to the squad after a spell with the U23’s for disciplinary reasons.
Rotherham United
Form: LWWLWL
League Position: 8th
Top Scorer: Freddie Ladapo (10)
Last week’s shock 1-0 loss against Rochdale moved Rotherham out of the play-off places for the first time in almost a month.
After two successive league losses, Paul Warne will be desperate for all three points on Saturday to string a run of form together as the busy festive period closely looms.
The Millers have gained more points on the road this season and have failed to score in only 10% of their away games, on paper, perhaps see this as arguably the best chance to move back into the coveted play-off positions.
Richard Wood is nearing full fitness but won’t be risked against Southend as a precaution, but Joe Mattock should make the squad.
One to watch
It’s hard to pinpoint a star man for Southend after their season thus far, but any source of danger is likely to come from Tom Hopper.
The striker will be hoping for a birthday goal tomorrow as he aims to add to his three goals this season on his 26th birthday.
Starting his career at Premier League 2015-16 champions Leicester, Hopper failed to make a first-team appearance, despite shining for the development squad and academy.
He joined Scunthorpe United in June 2015 after a successful loan spell, and he scored an impressive 18 goals in 91 games for the Iron as well as being nominated for the League One Player of the Month award in January 2015 but ultimately losing to MK Dons’ Dele Alli, now of course with Tottenham Hotspur.
Hopper then joined Southend in June 2018 on a three-year deal and has scored eight goals in 16 games after injuries reduced his gametime.
Talk
Paul Warne: "In fairness, there is no easy game in this league. It's a bit of a cliche but that's the truth.
"They're fighting for their lives and they're at home.
"They're in good form, they just haven't had the results. Sometimes when you're down there and things go against you, it feels like everything is, I know that feeling.
"They're a really big, strong, organised team that play."
Coverage
iFollow Millers will be providing full 90-minute commentary from the match, whilst the Rotherham United Twitter feed will be providing live updates for the entirety.
Reaction will be available on the official website post-match, as well as on iFollow and social media.