Southend United preview

Newport County AFC will be looking to make it back-to-back wins when Southend United visit Rodney Parade on Tuesday evening.

County finally broke their 2021 duck on the weekend against Grimsby, and will be keen to build on the result to boost their promotion bid.

Here, you can find all the facts and statistics ahead of this Sky Bet League Two fixture...

The opposition - Southend United

Southend have struggled for form and results so far this season, leaving them bottom of the league with 20 points. The Shrimpers have won five of their games, with five draws and 16 losses.

United showed signs of recovery from a slow start to the season in December, picking up four wins from nine matches after a six-match losing run.

Since then, however, they have gone without a win in their last five, leaving them six points away from safety and in need of points.

Team news

County new-boy Nicky Maynard scored the winner on his debut at Rodney Parade against Grimsby Town last time out, announcing himself in the best way possible. Dom Telford and Priestley Farquharson also made their first appearances on home soil.

Joss Labadie, Liam Shephard and Scot Bennett will all be missing for the Exiles through suspension.

The Shrimpers’ weekend fixture postponement gave a host of players more time to recover. Simeon Akinola, Sam Hart and Elvis Bwomono will all be in contention. They will also be missing James Olayinka and midfielders Alan McCormack and Terrell Egbri, while Jacob Mellis is in the mix for his debut.

One to watch – Jacob Mellis

New signing Jacob Mellis will be hoping to make his debut on Tuesday after signing from Gillingham a week ago. The midfielder seven appearances this season in SkyBet League One for the Gills, scoring once.

The 30-year-old started his career at Chelsea, with loan spells at Southampton and Barnsley. He has also represented Blackpool, Mansfield and Bolton, as well as appearing for the England U16, U17 and U19s.

Manager – Mark Molesley

Mark Molesley was appointed manager of Southend United in August following their relegation to Sky Bet League Two and the departure of Sol Campbell from Roots Hall.

Molesley’s best spell in charge of United came through December, where the Shrimpers secured three home wins in five fixtures.

The Englishman, who has previously taken charge of the England C team, has previously managed Bournemouth's under-15 and under-21 sides, and also took charge of Weymouth FC.

Last meeting between the sides

The sides were due to meet in the first fixture of the new year, however the match was postponed due to a frozen Rodney Parade pitch.

The previous meeting between the two teams came in August 2017 in the EFL Cup first round. Southend, then a Sky Bet League One club, were shocked by a County side that came away with a 2-0 win at Roots Hall.

The victory came courtesy of a quick-fire brace from on-loan Shawn McCoulsky in the second half, as two goals in six minutes saw the Exiles progress to the second round for the first time in four years.