HOT-SHOT marksman Jon Stead will be given all the ammunition he needs to gun down Southend at Roots Hall on Saturday.

That's the message today from manager Peter Jackson as he prepares his in-form team for the clash with Steve Wignall's fourth-bottom side (3.00).

Stead, of course, needs just one goal to reach double figures in what will be only the club's 14th senior outing of the campaign.

And Jackson wants to see no holds barred from the 20-year-old frontman, even though he is just one yellow card away from suspension.

"Jon is really full of confidence at the moment and he never stops working to better himself," said Jackson, who will play Efe Sodje in a three-man back line for the suspended Paul Scott.

"On the training ground, Jon wants to finish everything he touches and when it doesn't happen he gets genuinely upset.

"Missing chances is not a laughing matter for him, even if it's only in training, and that's why he's got a great future in football if he continues to work.

"Having scored the winner on Tuesday, I'm sure he'll want more against Southend and I just want him to focus on what he's been doing all season.

"I know he's on four bookings, but I certainly don't want him to change his game.

"He is covering miles in every game to harass and chase the opposition and he's proving a great first line of defence playing alongside Andy Booth up front.

"The way he tracks back, any slightly mistimed tackle is going to earn him a booking, but we are just going to have to live with that.

"Steady looks a completely different player this season because of that aggression and determination which he's worked on, and we certainly don't want to take anything away from his game."

Jackson has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the match, although defender David Mirfin has had four stitches removed from a wound to his right knee.

While Scott serves a one-match ban on Saturday, Ian Hughes - who is sidelined anyway with hamstring trouble - starts a three-game suspension for his dismissal at the Vetch Field.

"We have got the winning feeling at home and, obviously, we knocked Sunderland out of the Carling Cup on their own patch, but it would be great to get our first away League win on Saturday," added Jackson.

"It's a great incentive to think we are so close to the play-off places (just one point adrift) and we will roll our sleeves up and go for the three points.

"We do need a few away wins to supplement solid home form and if we can set the ball rolling this weekend then so much the better."

Wingman John Thorrington is back at the club after returning home to California to start his recuperation from ankle surgery.

He will spend another couple of weeks with the ankle immobilised in a brace before beginning light gym work.

Meanwhile, Town have dropped their interest in Bay Athletic's Paul Pyke, who scored twice while on trial with the Reserves last week.

Jackson explained: "We had sponsors in place to finance the deal, but we couldn't reach agreement with Paul and we won't be taking it any further."

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