Albion defender Adam Virgo has vowed to show no mercy to crisis-torn Southend.

He insists the Seagulls are determined to take the points from the seaside derby at Roots Hall today, even if it plunges the Shrimpers further into the mire.

Southend will be as good as down if Albion beat them. They only named six subs for the midweek draw at home to Brentford and are deep in debt, despite staving off another High Court winding up order.

Virgo said: “They are going through a very difficult time with administration and players not being paid.

“They have mortgages and kids, stuff like that. It is no surprise that they are not picking up many points at the moment. Sometimes it brings a squad closer together, sometimes it can break a squad.

“It is still a kind of derby game for us and they will give it their all. But it's a ruthless game, a professional game, and it's about winning.

“We'll go there for the three points and if it leaves them deeper in trouble that's life and that's football.”

Marcos Painter is in the Albion squad, 16 days after suffering a knee injury against Southampton which the left-back feared was a repeat of a ruptured cruciate ligament.

Assistant manager Mauricio Taricco said: “He was worried, we all were. It has been tough without him.

“We have conceded a few goals. Before his injury we looked a little bit more solid. The last few games we have been a little bit sloppier.”

Taricco has also welcomed centre half James Tunnicliffe back from his loan spell at MK Dons.

“We think a lot of him,” Taricco said. “We want him to stay with us and we want him to do, in particular, a pre-season with us.

“We think he needs to be fitter but he is a young player, very intelligent. He knows his role and we are happy that he is back.”