PHIL Parkinson reckons City have an embarrassment of attacking riches with Billy Clarke back from injury.

The Irishman’s return after missing the last three games with a hamstring strain gives Parkinson five frontline strikers to choose from for tonight’s crucial Valley Parade clash with Southend.

Clarke re-joins a squad boosted by Saturday’s 4-0 thumping of Peterborough, City’s biggest league win since 2013.

James Hanson scored twice at London Road and Steven Davies came off the bench to net again. Parkinson was also impressed by Wes Thomas on his first start and insists Jamie Proctor has staked a claim with his recent displays.

Parkinson said: “The competition is so important for us. We’re not afraid to make changes if we feel people are taking their foot off the gas.

“We need to keep people on the edge to stay in the side. They are all good players used to playing regular games.

“They’ve got to push each other on. That’s the key; it’s about setting standards and reproducing them.

“Look at Steve Davies on Saturday. He was terrific for us, not just with getting his goal but the way he held the ball up.

“Let’s not forget the importance of his goal against Fleetwood and he’s chomping at the bit to play. He wants to start – he’s not the type of player who’s going to be happy sat on the bench.

“He’s breathing down the neck of the people in the team at the moment and that’s what we want.”

Seventh-placed Southend are the first of five home games in the next seven as City look to put together a surge to close in on the play-off positions.

After arguably the best performance of the season at the weekend, Parkinson is keen to keep pushing on.

“The home form has generally been good,” he added. “I know it’s a boring managerial cliché but we’re not looking beyond the next game and we’re concentrating on the key factors to help us win that.

“It’s just about reminding the players what we’ve done well, not just on Saturday but at other times this season, and reproducing it. Victories are earned and that one was at the weekend.

“If we get this one, it will have to be a team that plays as a team.”

Southend’s original visit before Christmas was called off just 90 minutes before kick-off because of a waterlogged pitch. Parkinson and Southend counterpart Phil Brown ended up sitting next to each other that afternoon watching a game at Bury.

The City boss said: “I’ve known Browny a lot of years, Steve Parkin’s worked with him as well and Brian Horton’s good friends with us, particularly with Steve.

“We know the staff well and know they will be a very thorough organised team. That’s what they’ve built their success on.

“It’s been a good season for them but there are a lot of teams in the shake-up. Everyone is so competitive and it’s about putting a run together at the important time.”

Parkinson was at Southend’s recent win over Shrewsbury and is anticipating a tight encounter between two sides currently separated by three points and four places.

He added: “I expect Southend to be resolute. They had a period a few weeks ago when they conceded back-to-back four, three and a four and since then they’ve battened down the hatches.

“As is obvious by the league table, there’s very little to choose between the teams.

“I don’t think it’s going to be an open game. I watched them at Shrewsbury and they set themselves up to give very little away.

“We’re going to have to be very patient and be prepared to do whatever it takes.”

City will keep an eye on Rory McArdle’s situation with his wife Elizabeth due to give birth at any time.