BLUES’ centre-back Mark Phillips is confident of being fit to face Bristol Rovers tomorrow.

Phillips limped off towards the end of Tuesday night’s 1-0 triumph over Preston North after suffering a slight hamstring injury.

But he hopes to return to training today and be ready to take on the Pirates.

“My hamstring tightened up when I tried to change the pace I was running at so I decided to be sensible and come off,” said Phillips.

“I wanted to stay on but I’ve done that in the past and made injuries worse so I learnt from that and thought it would be best to be substituted.

“It was more of a precaution than anything else but I hope to be able to play because it’s another big game.”

Southend left-back Peter Gilbert also missed training yesterday after picking up a groin problem against Preston while Ryan Leonard is again doubtful with a back injury.

Harry Crawford will definitely be absent with a knee problem that will now require surgery to repair but Anthony Grant is available again after serving a three match suspension.

And the midfielder will be wanting to improve his record against Rovers after scoring own goals in his last two meetings with the Pirates.

Southend United (from): Daniels, Clohessy, Phillips, Barker, Gilbert, Mohsni, Kalala, Ferdinand, Timlin, Hall, Dickinson, Harris, Morris, Grant, Sawyer, Johnson, Prosser, Leonard & Sturrock.