Gillingham will look to bounce back from their defeat against MK Dons with three points at Southend United on Easter Monday.

Steve Lovell’s side have one eye still on a League One play-off place, and victory at Roots Hall will keep that dream alive.

The Gills will continue to check on forward Josh Parker, who has returned from international duty with Antigua & Barbuda but did not feature in Thursday’s defeat by MK Dons.

Midfielder Lee Martin has been sidelined by illness and will also be assessed.

Callum Reilly is recovering from a hamstring strain and the midfielder may still be short on match fitness.

Midfielder Billy Bingham (broken ankle) is still out but is making good progress towards his return to action, while defender Aaron Morris (knee) is another absentee.

Southend United boss Chris Powell could freshen up his side for the visit of The Gills following Good Friday’s 4-0 defeat at Plymouth.

Michael Kightly and former Gills midfielder Josh Wright both came off the bench and could be drafted in, along with forward Theo Robinson. Harry Kyprianou is available again following his return from international duty with Cyprus Under-21s. Goalkeeper Ted Smith (shoulder) and defender Rob Kiernan (knee) both continue their rehabilitation.

Southend are winless in their last seven league meetings with Gillingham (D3 L4).

In all competitions, Gillingham have won three of their last four away games against Southend, including two 3-1 wins last season (once in League One, once in the League Cup).

Southend have won four of their six home league games since Chris Powell took charge (D1 L1), keeping clean sheets in their last two – they haven’t kept three successive clean sheets since April 2015 (five in a row).

The Gills are away from home for the fifth successive season on Easter Monday – winning once and drawing twice in this run (L1).