SOUTHEND United manager Paul Sturrock hopes to be serving up treats both on and off the pitch this Christmas.

The Blues boss is desperate to lead his side into action against Barnet at Roots Hall on Boxing Day.

But before then he will have cooked Christmas dinner for both his family and members of the first team squad.

“We’ve taken over one of the lounges at the ground and will be having our Christmas dinner there after we’ve finished training,” said Sturrock.

“My family will be in there and so will the players who can’t get home for the day.

“I think there will be four or five of them there but I won’t be trying anything flash - just a typical Christmas dinner.

“It’s the first time I’ve cooked for Christmas but my wife will be helping too.

“I do enjoy my cooking but I just hope I don’t do my usual trick of cooking enough food to feed 5,000 people because we normally end up with far too much.”

The meal will definitely be going ahead and Sturrock wants the match against the Bees to take place too as he is a huge fan of Boxing Day matches.

“For me it’s the best game of the season so we really want it to go ahead,” said the Scotsman.

“People all want to go to a match and we’re doing everything we can to make sure it takes place.

“We have heaters on the pitch and we just hope it goes ahead.”

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