Southend United face two of the Third Division's promotion favourites over the August Bank Holiday weekend - Swansea and Leyton Orient.

First they travel to Swansea City on Saturday, before meeting close rivals Leyton Orient at Roots Hall on Monday.

Trips to the Vetch Field have rarely been a pleasant experience for Blues and Alan Little's men will need to be firing on all cylinders to take anything away from John Hollins' side.

This Is Essex wishes its readers an enjoyable bank holiday. Our National News and National Sport services will operate as normal across the extended weekend break; the Local News and Local Sport sections will be updated on Tuesday morning. Having just missed out on promotion to the Second Division last term via the play-offs, the Swans are desperate to go one better this year by sealing an automatic elevation.

However, Swansea, who dumped West Ham out of the FA Cup last season, could be hampered by a lack of investment in their team.

Hollins, although being assured their is plenty of dosh in the club's coffers, hasn't bought a player for 14 months.

The former Chelsea and Arsenal star is desperate to recruit a proven goalscorer to fire his team's ambitions, but so far the players Hollins has got at his disposal have done him proud.

Swansea put on a creditable performance in the Worthington Cup, disposing of Second Division Millwall, and Hollins will be hoping his full-strength team can put on a similar performance against the Shrimpers.

Leyton Orient bring their entourage of former Blues players to Roots Hall on Monday, kick-off 1pm, for what should be an entertaining derby match.

The O's, who are still awaiting their first league point, will include ex-Shrimpers defenders Andy Harris, Matt Lockwood and veteran midfielder Martin Ling in their squad for the short jaunt to Southend.

Tommy Taylor's side, who also missed out on promotion in last season's Third Division play-offs, may be stuttering in the league, but they have found some form in the Worthington Cup.

The O's pulled off an excellent giant-killing act by defeating First Division Swindon Town 2-1 on aggregate.

However, they will be robbed of two of their players through injury and suspension for the visit to Southend.

Centre-back Stuart Hicks, starting a three-game ban, will be replaced by Simon Clark and midfielder Alex Inglethorpe is crocked with a back injury.

One man who will return for Orient is their veteran French international striker Amara Simba.

The 37-year-old has been back in his homeland because of family trouble, but is expected to line-up against the Seasiders.

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