Southend waiting on Taylor Moore

Southend will check on defender Taylor Moore ahead of the Sky Bet League One clash against Plymouth.

Moore, on loan from Bristol City, is rated as “touch and go” by Shrimpers boss Chris Powell having been forced off in the midweek Checkatrade Trophy defeat by Portsmouth with a hamstring problem.

Goalkeeper Ted Smith made a long-awaited return to action following a shoulder injury, so could feature again if first choice Mark Oxley (back) is not fit, while defenders Jason Demetriou (knee) and Harry Lennon (fractured leg) continue their rehabilitation.

Left-back Ben Coker, winger Sam Barratt, midfielder Lewis Gard and striker Tom Hopper are all ruled out for the rest of the season with knee injuries, along with centre-half Harry Kyprianou (Achilles).

Plymouth manager Derek Adams will assess the fitness of goalkeeper Matt Macey.

Macey returned to training on Thursday after missing the last two matches because of a dead leg.

Kyle Letheren has deputised for Macey and kept a clean sheet in the 3-0 win over Oxford on New Year’s Day.

Loan signing Oscar Threlkeld, who is beginning his fourth spell at Argyle, will be in the squad, but midfielders Conor Grant, Jamie Ness and Joel Grant remain sidelined.