IPSWICH Town manager Jim Magilton will take either result from tonight's FA Cup third round replay between Southend and Chelsea at Roots Hall.

Elvin King

IPSWICH Town manager Jim Magilton will take either result from tonight's FA Cup third round replay between Southend and Chelsea at Roots Hall.

The Blues visit the victors in the fourth round on Saturday week and Magilton, who is known to want to keep defender Alex Bruce on the books, says that either game will have its attractions.

“Southend achieved a fantastic result to draw the first game at Stamford Bridge,” said Magilton.

“They will relish tonight's game and if they produce another surprise we will have a derby to look forward to.

“And the prospect of facing Chelsea has a great attraction to us as well.

“As a manager it will be great to pit my wits against Luiz Felipe Scolari and his world class team.

“And for our players it will give them a taste of what they would experience every week in the Premier League and give an indication of where we are as a team.”

Bruce, who is to turn down Town's recent offer of a new two-year contract, is set to keep his place in the side - with Magilton never straying from the fact that he wants to keep him at Portman Road.

The details of the contract are out of the hands of the Blues boss however, and indications are that the new offer does not meet the valuations of Bruce or his agent.

Town play at Crystal Palace on Saturday, and the Londoners are in FA Cup replay action against Leicester this evening.

For their visit to League One Southend, Chelsea will be without star striker Didier Drogba.

He has been sensationally axed by Scolari and the Ivorian front man did not travel with the rest of the party yesterday.

Drogba has become the first victim of Scolari's get-tough policy following their 3-0 mauling by Manchester United on Sunday.

Scolari also delivered a scathing assessment of his side's trophy-winning capability and hinted at more major changes after giving his squad of highly-paid players enough opportunities to impress him since the summer.

Scolari clearly feels Drogba is a pale shadow of the player once feared by both Premier League and European defences.

“All the players have had their chance,” said Scolari. “I have given every player at least five or six games to impress.

"Now we will start with one team against Southend United, and maybe I will start with the same team against Stoke City. But I need answers from the players. I will give them their chance and I need answers.”