Shaun Goater is in line for a 15-minute cameo appearance today as Southend make the trip to Walsall for the third game of their League One campaign.

The veteran striker is yet to appear for the Shrimpers ? who saved him from retirement this summer ? due to a calf injury picked up in pre-season at Reading, but he may get his debut today when the club visit the Bescot Stadium, a former haunt of national coach Kyle Lightbourne.

Goater resumed full training this week, albeit at first with the juniors as the senior squad were up in Bradford beating them 2-0 on Tuesday night, but is not expected to be fit enough to play a full game.

The former Man City talisman is travelling with the squad to Walsall, a good sign that he will be involved given that he originally wasn?t planning on making the journey north.

The Goat is likely to start on the bench and just be used towards the end of the game against Paul Merson?s Saddlers and manager Steve Tilson is likely to start with Freddy Eastwood and Wayne Gray up front.

Stateside, meanwhile, Khano Smith, who scored his second Major League Soccer goal on Wednesday, is hoping to feature in tonight?s televised clash at Pizza Hut Park between New England Revolution and FC Dallas.