League Two preview: Southend Utd

Freddy Eastwood
After leaving Coventry this summer Freddy Eastwood has rejoined the club where he made his name. Photo: PA

Manager: Paul Sturrock

Position last season: 4th

Nickname: The Shrimpers

Ground: Roots Hall

Capacity: 12,392

Players in: Kevan Hurst (Walsall, free), Gavin Tomlin (Dagenham, undisclosed), Anthony Straker (Aldershot, tribunal fee), Ryan Cresswell (Rotherham, undisclosed), Freddy Eastwood (Coventry, free)

Players out: Anthony Grant (Stevenage, free), Pat Baldwin (Exeter, free), Jean-Paul Kalala (released), Christian Dailly (retired)

Key man: Freddy Eastwood

Chances: Southend are among a group of clubs chasing promotion this season after ending last year just one point away from automatic promotion. The Shrimpers were edged out of the play-off semi final by eventual winners Crewe. Manager Sturrock will be hoping to avoid the end-of-season lottery this time around.