SOUTHEND United manager Chris Powell has stressed the importance of tonight’s Checkatrade Trophy clash with Southampton’s under 21 team at Roots Hall.

Victory will see Blues work their way into the knock-out stages of the often much maligned competition.

But Powell is keen to progress by seeing off the Saints.

“This game is of real importance to us as a team and as a club,” said the Blues boss.

“This is the third game in the group stage and there’s a lot riding on it because we want to get through to the knock-out stages.

“It’s a game we will be taking extremely seriously and we want to get back to winning ways.

“We want to progress in Checkatrade and the FA Cup as well to keep our season alive and keep it going.

“We’ve had very mixed form in the League and I want us to start winning again.

“We’ve been very up and down for a whole host of reasons but we have to get on with it.

“We’re no different to any other club who have to contend with injuries, loss of form or not doing the right things at times.

“We have to find ways of winning.”

Powell will therefore be selecting a strong starting line-up tonight.

But the 49-year-old will also be bringing others into the team with Elvis Bwomono and Harry Kyprianou among those pushing for selection.

“We do need to give some players a run but they are players I know who can handle it,” said Powell.

“We need to get some players up to speed because we have five games in 14 days and people will need to be up to speed.”

Blues kicked off their Checkatrade Trophy campaign with a 3-1 win against Cambridge United at Roots Hall before suffering a 2-0 defeat at Colchester United.

All four teams sit on three points heading into the final round of fixtures.

And Powell will ensure Blues will be as prepared as possible for the Saints.

“We’ve done the preparation like we would for any other game and we will pick a team which we feel can win the game,” said Powell.

“I want us to get our confidence going again and take that into our League season.

“It will help get us into the position I feel we deserve to be in but it’s up to us and nobody else.

>Follow tonight’s Checkatrade Trophy game live on www.echo-news.co.uk/sport