SOUTHEND United’s Brian Horton insists his affection for Port Vale will go out the window tomorrow.

Horton spent six seasons with Vale as a player, making more than 250 appearances before also enjoying a five year spell as manager.

But that will count for nothing when Vale visit Roots Hall this weekend.

“I had great times with Port Vale as a player and manager as well but I’m with Southend now and it’s a very big game we need to win,” said Horton.

“We need to reproduce some of the stuff we’re playing away from home when we’re playing at Roots Hall.

“There’s obviously more pressure at home because you’re expected to win and perform.

“But we need to give the fans something to shout about.”

Blues head into the game sitting 11th in the League One table, three places lower than Port Vale.

And the Shrimpers will also be looking to build on the midweek Johnstone’s Paint Trophy win at Crawley Town which has left Southend boss Phil Brown with a number of selection dilemmas.

“The game has given us food for thought,” sad Horton, who has been Blues’ football co-ordinator since the start of the season.

“It’s the manager’s decision but we’ll all have our say on it.”

The Shrimpers’ managerial team must decide between John White and Luke O’Neill at right-back and whether or not to select Myles Weston in attack after he got back on the score-sheet at Crawley.

Blues will definitely be without second choice goalkeeper Ted Smith and on loan Brighton & Hove Albion defender Glen Rea who are both on international duty.

Striker Noel Hunt also faces a late fitness test on an ankle problem while, if selected, Will Atkinson will be making his 100th appearance for the club.