Southend preview

The Shrimpers visit the Kassam Stadium on Saturday hopeful of extending Oxford's dismal run. Former United defender Phil Whelan will almost certainly be playing for David Webb's side and, after a poor start with Southend last season, he is one of their most consistent players this season.

United have Paul Tait back in contention as his three match suspension is now complete, and Chris Hackett is also a possible addition to the squad following some impressive performances at reserve and under-19 level. Jamie Brooks, rested on Tuesday suffering from a slight knock, is also a possible addition to the side as United attempt to shake off two successive appalling performances. Southend will be hoping that they do not feel the brunt of a U's backlash. Rage Online reckons they won't. The best we can do is offer United 1 Southend 1 as our prediction (well, we promised that we wouldn't predict a United win after doing so against Macclesfield).

Firoz Kassam has denied reports that United failed to sign Moody following a dispute over a £20,000 signing-on fee. Kassam alleges that Millwall didn't want to sell Moody, although whether they didn't want to sell him at all, or just to United, wasn't clarified. Kassam reiterated that money is available for Mark Wright provided the right man is found but there was no hint that any signing is imminent.