Lee Sawyer: Out for the rest of the season?
If Ricky Duncan thought he had a tough enough under-18 game against QPR Saturday morning, he might now lose half his usual side as they travel up to bottom-of-the-table Stockport to join the first team!
The latest Shrimpers news just goes from bad to worse to downright nasty.
Blues boss Paul Sturrock spoke on Thursday of an injury picked up at training while two players were only 50-50 to start at Edgeley Road at the weekend.
The injury is thought to be midfielder Lee Sawyer, and presently it seems bad, an ankle ligament problem that if confirmed would mean the former Chelsea youth will not be seen again this season!
The 50-50 players look as if they were Ryan Hall and Barry Corr, a bug in the camp, with Ryan now OK to slot into the emergency role of left back, but 18-goal Big Baz is still rated very doubtful, so Harry Crawford could be leading the attack on his own, Blair Sturrock tucked up behind him.
This would also allow Louie Soares a start at last, playing on either the right or left wing.
Alex Woodyard was already pencilled in to replace Cyprus bound for the Irish under-19's Kane Ferdinand but for Lee look no futher than youngster Jamie Stephens, a very promising player, will be a big test for him though, the Hatters are desperate for points with a new manager and will be up for a scrap.
The bench will include Rhys Evans for senior keeping cover and Adam Bouzid will be there along with a couple of kids, one possibily George Smith.
Blues boss Paul Sturrock told www.echo-news.co.uk: "We will be taking lads from the youth team and they will be involved. We have no other option but it will be a good experience for them and the injury problems we have do open the door for other players to impress."
Luggy is still refusing to mention the players involved so most of the above has not been confirmed yet; and, of course, we hope Barry will be able to play, but for now;
Possible Southend United: Morris, Clohessy, Coughlan, Barker, Hall, Woodyard, Grant, Sephens, Sturrock, Crawford, Soares.
Subs: Evans, Bouzid, Smith, Nesbitt, Asante.
Jamie Stephens: Another Irish lad is found amongst the young Shrimpers
Midfielder Jamie Stephens was part of the Northern Irish Under-19 squad between September 19th-24th last year for two friendly fixtures against Iceland.
Full profile here:
www.shrimperstrust.co.uk/home.asp?page_id=235