Kane Ferdinand; picked up an ankle injury in the 1-1 draw at Torquay United
If the Blues faithful were concerned about the possible loss of midfielder Anthony Grant in the Tuesday clash under lights with bottom-of-the-table Barnet, the news only got worse with the news that the other jewel in the Shrimpers engine room, the teenager Kane Ferdinand, may also be sitting in the Roots Hall stands this evening.
While Snoop Dog got a kick in the head at Plainmoor Saturday, it seems Ferdy picked up an ankle problem in the same game and isn't sure at all he'll be fit to start.
Ferdinand told www.echo-news.co.uk: "I really don't know if I'm going to be playing. I took a whack to my ankle at the weekend when their player deservedly got booked and I was limping from it for about five minutes. I was able to continue, but it's been sore ever since and we will just have to wait and see how it responds to treatment. I certainly want to play though because I'm loving being a part of the first team and it's another important game."
For now this is exiledessexboy's home view of the match and before the news of young Kane's injury worries:
'A welcome return to forecasting form when that 1-1 draw came up at last!
For Tuesday and the game which originally should have been played on Boxing Day, it's all about Granty of course and his hoped for recovery from a nasty bout of concussion received last Saturday at Torquay.
I've put him in my side but Lee Sawyer will be an excellent replacement if called upon.
If Mark Phillips recovers from this week's injury he may take the place of veteran Graham Coughlan but the former Shrewsbury skipper had a fine game at Plainmoor and might be chosen ahead of Mark anyway.
It's easy to expect an easy three points by just turning up but, of course, things are never that straight forward at Roots Hall.
Barnet were a tougher prospect to break down at the weekend with a more defensive line-up and we'll need winger Ryan Hall to continue his good form to help break them down.
With the play-off zone so close it would be a real step back not to beat the Bees even with the visit of Northampton Town to come four days later, and even if the side started to look a touch leggy in Devon they should have enough to take the three points, let's say 2-0.'
Possible Southend United: Evans, Clohessy, Coughlan, Barker, Gilbert, Ferdinand, Grant, Easton, Hall, Sturrock, Corr.
Subs: Morris, Herd, Prosser, Comminges, Sawyer, Soares, Asante.
COME ON YOU BLUES!!!!!
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