The Blues will again include youth team players Daniel Lunan and Anthony Clark in the squad when they face Exeter City at Roots Hall. Seventeen year old Clark made his Southend United debut on Saturday as a second half substitute when replacing his name-sake Steven at Kidderminster Harriers.
Phil Whelan is expected to be named as centre forward, he came on for player/manager Rob Newman at Aggborough in the second half, Barrington Belgrave who missed the game in Worcestershire is again doubtful with a foot injury while Blues other strikers Mark Rawle, Tes Bramble and Tony Richards are all still absent with groin injuries.
Mark Beard, Ben Smith and Scott Forbes are also doubtful through injury and the Blues
squad is now done to the bare bones.
Meanwhile according to AOL in association with Teamtalk.com Exeter City are having an injury crisis as well. Graeme Power is waiting on the results of an X-ray to find out if he fractured his fibula in the 1-1 draw with Lincoln City on Saturday.
The defender will be out for the rest of the season if that is the case leaving boss John Cornforth down to the bare bones.
When City visit Southend on Monday they could also be without winger Geoff Breslan, who took a whack on the knee against The Imps. If Breslan fails to recover Cornforth could bring Martin Barlow into the midfield or drop Graeme Tomlinson back.
Cornforth has admitted that he will be taking three or four youngsters in the squad that travels to Roots Hall as cover.
Picture: Power facing an anxious wait
Steve Connolly
www.thelittlegazette.com