LATICS boss Ronnie Moore has vowed to overcome a so-called 'jinx' after he was named Coca-Cola League One Manager of the Month for December.

He beat off the challenges of Gary Johnson (Bristol City), Phil Parkinson (Colchester United) and Iffy Onuora (Swindon Town) to take the award for a month in which his team took 11 points from 15.

Winners have traditionally then lost their next game, but Moore - who won three similar awards at Rotherham United - believes any talk of a curse is hype.

However, he acknowledged that his side has a tough test against leaders Southend United if they want to maintain their eight-game unbeaten run.

Moore said: "It's always nice when you win something like that. It's not just for me, it's for the football club, the players who have been magnificent and the coaching staff.

"I don't believe in jinxes. If we lose, it won't be because we've got the Manager of the Month award - other managers have got it and won the following Saturday. We just know it's going to be a tough game because Southend are on a good run."

Both sides have won their last three league games with the Shrimpers unbeaten in seven games as opposed to Oldham's eight.

Talk coming from Roots Hall has Oldham down as favourites though as a small squad, combined with injuries and suspensions, has apparently left Southend with only 13 fit players for Saturday.

In contrast, Moore was boosted by Chris Swailes emerging unscathed from the reserves' 4-2 win against Bury yesterday, while Will Haining began training again on Thursday.

With Rob Scott out for two weeks after suffering concussion at MK Dons and Gareth Owen apparently jarring his hamstring in the same game, Swailes may make his debut at the weekend.

Moore said: "I'm not in a desperate rush to force Swailes staright in because I've got the option of bringing Richie Wellens back, moving Mark Hughes to the right and Terrell Forbes to centre-half.

"Although my heart's telling me to throw him in, I'd be sick if he got a calf strain or something like that because of the pace of the game.

"Southend are a bit like ourselves. Going forward they look like they're going to score goals, but if we can get at them, I don't think there's much pace down the middle."

Wellens and Paul Warne should both return after suspension with Mark Hughes switching from the centre of midfield to right wing-back.

Three goals in three games should see Luke Beckett remain up front instead of Chris Porter - who replaced Warne at MK Dons - while the only other selection poser would appear to be either Swailes or Forbes to make up the back three along with Stefan Stam and Guy Branston.