Flying Cheltenham Town host improving Southend at the Jonny Rocks Stadium

Cheltenham Town host a Southend United side who have recently taken great pleasure in nicking points from high-flying sides.

In fact, in all of the 22nd placed Shrimpers’ last five fixtures, every match has come against sides in the top nine of the League Two standings, with Mark Molesley’s side losing just once and conceding two goals in that time.

Cheltenham themselves have been on a rampant run of form, which, despite notable absences through injury, has seen the Robins win four out of their last five matches.

Michael Duff’s promotion-chasing side won’t want to settle for just a top-seven spot, after the disappointment of their Play-Off campaign last season; they are, so far, doing exactly what is necessary to gain entry to the third tier.

Both sides have been particularly impressive on the road in recent weeks, with Southend stunning Forest Green Rovers in a deserved 3-1 victory last week whilst also showing their ugly side in a gritty 1-0 win away at Newport County at the start of February.

With their recent home form suffering, Molesley’s men will surely be glad that they are facing Cheltenham away from home, to carry on where they left off last Wednesday.

The Robins have played four of their last five matches away from home, winning all of them. A home fixture sandwiched between these results saw them lose 2-0 to the resurgent Bradford City. Duff won’t be worried about his side’s home performance, but it is important that his side show that they can replicate their away form on home turf.

In that regard, Cheltenham will be boosted by the return of Liam Sercombe, who is due to be available for selection after a spell on the sidelines.

However, Duff did mention that his minutes will be managed. Elsewhere in the squad, Will Boyle remains out along with Chris Clements and Ellis Chapman. Charlie Raglan seemed doubtful for the weekend’s 2-0 victory over Scunthorpe United, but the centre-half came through 90 minutes unscathed.

As for Southend, Nile Ranger is set to miss out, after hobbling off on his debut against Salford City at the weekend.

Long-term absentees Nathan Ralph, Harry Lennon and Lewis Gard remain out. All being well, Molesley will sign a goalkeeper on emergency loan before the trip, as Mark Oxley remains injured and his original replacement on an emergency loan deal, Alex Bass, sustained an injury against Salford which may keep him out for the rest of the season.

Jacob Mellis, James Olayinka, Terrell Egbri and Sam Hart are all nearing full fitness but Tuesday is likely to come too soon for them. Simeon Akinola will run a late fitness check for the match.

When the two sides met earlier in the season, there was only ever going to be one outcome. Cheltenham raced into a 1-0 lead early on from the penalty spot with Liam Sercombe converting.

After the half-time interval, Danny Lloyd doubled the Robins’ lead after being supplied with a great cross by Chris Hussey. It was one of the most comfortable matches Duff’s side will have ever faced and at least now Southend look a side more capable to frustrate their opposition, even though goalscoring remains an issue.

Southend aren’t at all the side they were earlier in the season, and with the form of their opponents on Tuesday night would likely be more than happy to take a point back to South Essex.

It could be a frustrating evening for Cheltenham, but, if they channel the quality they have shown to get themselves into the automatic promotion picture, they should have what it takes to overcome the now-resilient Shrimpers.

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