Darryl Flahavan

Darryl Flahavan is ready to put the lid on his biting row with Dean Windass behind him.

The Southend United goalkeeper claimed he was bitten by Windass when the sides played at the Bradford & Bingley Stadium in August, something the City hitman strenuously denied.

Both players were spoken to by the Football Association, who then decided that there was no case to answer.

And Flahavan insists there will be no afters at Roots Hall on Saturday.

"It's Southend vs Bradford not Flahavan vs Windass," he said. "Obviously a lot of people have mentioned it to me this week but I would like to close the incident now really.

"We have both given our sides to the story but I don't see any problem with it on Saturday. I am not worried about Dean Windass, I am more worried about stopping Bradford and making sure that Southend get the three points that we need."

The Shrimpers have hit the rocks after a bardstorming start to life in the Coca-Cola Football League 1.

Having topped the table in October, they have since slipped to fourth.

A run of four straight defeats, including an FA Cup exit at home to MK Dons, was halted with a goalless draw against Chesterfield in midweek.

But Southend, who won promotion from the Coca-Cola Football League 2 via the Play-Offs, are remaining upbeat.

Defender Lewis Hunt said: "It's important to keep a sence of perspective. We are in a decent position and if we had been offered that at the start of the season, pretty much everybody would have taken it."

Boss Steve Tilson, who said there are "no panic stations" despite the blip, could make once change for the visit of the Bantams.

Former Manchester City striker Shaun Goater may lose his starting role to Wayne Gray, who replaced him at half-time on Tuesday.

Freddy Eastwood, top scorer with ten goals, is the man to watch. He has been linked with Norwich City, Crystal Palace and Southampton. 

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