Alexander is pinning hopes on Grimes

Gary Alexander believes the emergence of Ashley Grimes together with his own return to full fitness can help lift Millwall's fading promotion push.

Alexander has been sidelined for most of the last month with a troublesome thigh injury while Grimes has had to bide his time in the reserves for much of the campaign.

But with on-loan strikers Vincent Pericard and Izale McLeod now back at their parent clubs, the duo could both start against Southend at Roots Hall tonight.

Alexander said: "Ashley has been on fire all season and has been scoring lots of goals for the reserves.

"He's been patient but now he looks as though he is going to get his chance and hopefully he can take it."

Pericard returned to Stoke last week after rupturing his Achilles tendon while McLeod is back at Charlton after being left out of the weekend defeat to Oldham.