Southend United have signed centre half Pat Baldwin and striker Scott Vernon from Essex rivals Colchester United on loan until May but they cannot play in the derby game February 8.

Southend have signed centre back Pat Baldwin and striker Scott Vernon, from Colchester, the third and fourth ColU players to play for the Shrimpers this season following John White and Matt Heath.

This will help ease Blues boss Steve Tilson's selection problems for Saturday's game with Swindon Town where a possible three players could be out injures, Christophe, Grant and Laurent, and Macca is certainly not playing as he's starting a two-match suspension.



Balders turned down Bristol for sunny Southend, good bloke

Baldwin has had a succcesful loan spell with Bristol Rovers, who wanted him to re-sign, but the experienced central defender has decided to come to Roots Hall.



We'll forgive Scotty the facial hair if he grabs a goal on debut

Vernon has just returned from a three month lay-off with an ankle injury, which saw him play only once for Gillingham in an earlier loan deal, but returned to score a hat-trick against Maldon in the Essex Senior Cup in midweek.