Leeds booked their place in Sunday week's final, beating Carlisle 2-0 in the second leg at Brunton Park to go through 3-2 on aggregate.

Rovers will be bidding to do the same in tonight's second-leg against Southend.

Both sides, who battled out a goalless draw at Roots Hall a week ago, could be forced to make changes from their respective line-ups.

Rovers are already resigned to the fact that they will be without striker Paul Heffernan who starts a three-match ban after being red-carded in last week's game, while Shrimpers' striker Lee Barnard will face a late test on ankle injury sustained in the first leg.

Rovers boss Sean O'Driscoll was also due to check on several players carrying "bumps and bruises" at today's light session at the stadium - during which time the players will practice taking penalties, before finalising his side.

His biggest dilemma would look to concern midfielder Richie Wellens.

Booked in for a hernia operation as soon as the season is over, Wellens has trained well this week after crying off on the day of the match last week.

O'Driscoll insisted that he wouldn't take a gamble on Wellens, even though he is a key figure in the Rovers team.

He was pleased with how his new-look midfield, with James Coppinger playing a more defensive role, performed in the first leg.

Said O'Driscoll:"I thought that as a team that we were organised and disciplined for the whole 90 minutes.

"They had one or two chances which on another day might have gone in, but we created one or two chances ourselves.

"It was tight, but I always thought that it would be, and I think tonight's leg will be the same.

"We certainly can't afford to step off the gas when it comes to our organisation and discipline because I think that they are a good enough to get a result.

"There is everything to play for and I am sure that they will be a resolute as we were last Friday."

O'Driscoll again played down the benefits of home advantage.

"I don't think the fact that you are playing at home has any bearing in play-off games," he said. "I think the actual score going into a second leg game can dictate the outcome."

n Southend midfielder Mark Gower is confident his side can get the result they need to overcome Doncaster in the second leg of their League One play-off semi-final.

The winger is sure the Shrimpers have the attacking edge to fire them to victory.

The 29-year-old said: "It was a hard game to sum up and although they had a lot of the ball they didn't have too many chances to score.

"Jason Price went through and Darryl Flahavan did well to save it but that could have been cut out.

Going forward I think we look the better side.

"We always fancy ourselves to get a goal and if we can keep the ball a bit better and get it wide as well, like we normally do, then I think we're going to create more chances and hopefully have some joy.

"Sometimes I think they pass it around just for the sake of it but if we take the lead then I think that would go out the window."

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