NORTHAMPTON TOWN manager Stuart Gray believes Blues will definitely be promoted this season The Cobblers boss saw Southend win 2-0 against Bright-on on Tuesday and he is therefore fully aware of the size of the task facing his team tomorrow.

"I watched Southend play Brighton the other night and they played very well," said Gray "If we don't start right then it will be a very difficult game.

"I've got a sneaky feeling that Southend will go up with the form they are in. If I was a betting man, that's who my money would be on.

"Whether that be via the play-offs or automatically in the top two I don't know, but I fancy them to do it."

Town, who are six points below the play offs in 11th place, will be missing centre-back Mark Hughes (thigh), while there are doubts over midfield duo Danny Jackman and Joe Burnell who both have illnesses.

But Ryan Gilligan is back after serving a suspension.

Northampton (from): Bunn, Crowe, Doig, Dolman, Jones, Dyer, Coke, Gilligan, Jackman, Holt, Hubertz, Akinfenwa, Hayes, Burnell, Henderson and Dunn.