ALAN McCormack has had to put his birthday celebrations on ice after Southend United’s game with Walsall was postponed.

The Irishman turns 26 on Sunday and had been hoping to mark the occasion with a win against the Saddlers on what would have been his 150th appearance Blues appearance.

But a frozen pitch has now put paid to those plans.

“The match and making sure we got three points was the main thing of the weekend so it’s a real shame the game is off,” said McCormack.

“It would have been nice to make my 150th appearance too but we will just have to wait which is quite frustrating because we didn’t play last weekend either and we’re raring to go.”

Blues had been due to play Millwall last Saturday but the came was postponed because the Lions were involved in the FA Cup against Derby County.

Subsequently, Steve Tilson’s side have now not played since the end of December when they won 2-1 at local rivals Leyton Orient, with McCormack bagging the winning goal.

“Barney and I are still having plenty of banter about whose goal it was but it’s been given to me,” said McCormack.

“It’s great to have got my first one of the season and I’ll try get to forward whenever I can from now on.

“I’m hoping that it will be like buses and now I’ve got one that maybe two or three others will arrive as well quite quickly.”

Full story in Friday's Echo.