SOUTHEND United skipper Nathan Ralph says the Shrimpers do not fear facing table-topping Forest Green Rovers this weekend.

Blues host the league leaders at Roots Hall fresh from a disappointing 2-0 defeat at Altrincham on Saturday.

But Ralph is looking forward to the challenge.

“We don’t fear anyone in this league and we know what we can do when we play well,” said the defender.

“It’s only a couple of weeks ago that we went toe to toe with a really good League One side so we’ve shown we can do it.

“Forest Green are a good side and that’s why they’re top of the table but it’s a challenge we’re looking forward to.”

The match will also see Harry Cardwell coming back to Blues for the first time since he joined Rovers in late August.

But Ralph is keen to stay focused on the Shrimpers’ form.

“It will be good to see H again and he was brilliant for us,” said the 31-year-old.

“We know what he can do but we’ll be focusing on ourselves.

“Saturday was disappointing and we went through it again in training yesterday.

“We know we need to get the basics right because we saw again on Saturday how it can hurt you when you don’t.

"It was disappointing from us and we know we need to do much better on Saturday.”