Southend United vs Sunderland. Sky Bet League One.
Roots HallAttendance10,779.
Watch Southend vs Sunderland live on Sky Sports Football from 5.15pm on Saturday; Kick-off is at 5.30pm.
Saturday 4 May 2019 17:16, UK
Southend boss Kevin Bond could take a gamble on striker Stephen Humphrys as he looks to secure the club's League One status against promotion hopefuls Sunderland.
Humphrys has not been involved since suffering a fractured nose, cheekbone and eye socket at Accrington on February 23 and is short of match fitness, but could be involved in the club's hour of need.
Midfielder Luke Hyam is a major doubt after suffering a hamstring injury during last Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Rochdale. Harry Lennon remains out, while fellow defender Jason Demetriou continues his recovery from knee surgery.
Sunderland winger Aiden McGeady will be missing once again as the Black Cats attempt to halt an alarming slump in form ahead of the play-offs. McGeady missed Tuesday night's 2-1 defeat at Fleetwood with the foot injury he has been nursing for a month and is not expected to be risked at Roots Hall.
However, manager Jack Ross is hopeful that striker Charlie Wyke, who also sat out in midweek with a dead leg, will be available once again. Ross otherwise has a series of bumps and bruises to assess - striker Will Grigg has been playing with an ankle problem - and will make final checks before he names his team.
There has never been a draw in the 15 league meetings between Southend and Sunderland - the Shrimpers winning six compared Sunderland's nine.
Sunderland have won five of the last six league encounters against Southend (L1), keeping clean sheets in each of those five victories.
Southend have only won once in their last 17 league games (D6 L10), although this was in their most recent match at Roots Hall, beating Burton Albion 3-2.
Sunderland's defeat at Fleetwood in midweek ended a run of 10 games without a loss on the road in League One (W4 D6).
Sunderland have found the net in 44 of their 45 league games this season, more than any other side in the top four tiers of English football.
