Positive News

Southend had the disappointment, if you can call a one-one draw with Oxford United that, of being held to a draw on Saturday but it was the cost to two of our key players that was of most concern.

Conor Clifford played through the pain barrier with his knee injury while Ben Coker was forced off before full time, meaning that we had to finish the game with just ten men in the end as Phil Brown had made all three of his permitted changes.

Fortunately Brown has given us an update in his interview with the Echo.

It appears that neither are as serious as first thought, Coker is taking pain killers and it’s still likely that he might miss our next game, at least, but he might not miss as many as first feared. If he does still out for a while then we’ll do some juggling around of players or, if possible, bring in a left back on loan.

If we’re going to get in a loanee in Coker’s position I’d sooner we worked with what we have and if we can do any loans do one for someone in an area that’s more of a priority, and not just in the immediate future.

Clifford’s swelling has gone down a lot, we’ve still got to wait and see but so far the news is looking positive on him and Coke but we’ll get more of an update later this week I’m sure.

This evening the official website gave us an update with Clifford actually back in light training but Coker requires another scan to see how seriously the tendons in his elbow have been damaged.