GREAT Wakering Rovers manager Iain O’Connell has called on his team to play without fear at Essex Senior League leaders Redbridge tonight.

Wakering have won 11 of their last 12 league matches and have kept five clean sheets in their last seven league outings to climb to fourth in the standings.

But O’Connell is not taking anything for granted as he looks to put more points on the board in their bid to win promotion come the end of term.

“The boys are feeling confident,” he said, following Saturday’s 2-0 win against Sporting Bengal United. “I made a few changes on Saturday and the guys on the bench - Jay Nash and Chris Bryan - came on and were excellent, making a real difference.

“It is a squad game and the guys know that. We played poorly in the first half so the boys got a bit of a telling off, but we improved a lot.

“We have a very good defensive record this season and that is credit to the players’ efforts. They know we need to keep it up as it is very tight.

“I believe two teams will go up [with 12 runners-up from the 14 step five leagues promoted] because of the points we are accumulating, but we need to keep going.

“We play Redbridge, who are at the top for a reason. They were favourites at the start of the season and we need to play without fear.

“I’ve always had tough games there and I expect the same tonight.”

Ricky Evans returns, while Charlie Seaden is nearing a return to first team action after suffering a serious injury.

Southend Manor will be determined to pick up three points against bottom side Hackney Wick in their bid to return to form.

Stansted were 1-0 winners at Southchurch Park on Saturday and now head to Hackney, who have lost their last seven but got a draw at Manor earlier in the season.

Manor will be without Robbie Norris and Hamid Zamani.