Shrimpers Suffer Smith Blow

Smith was forced to limp out of Saturday's defeat at Mansfield Town due to a knee injury and is facing two weeks on the sidelines. New boy Mark Bentley is expected to be given the chance to establish himself in the team.

Southend United's caretaker manager Steve Tilson told the club's official website: "Unfortunately Jay Smith is going to be out for a couple of weeks after picking up the injury at Mansfield, although things with him aren't quite as bad as we thought initially.

"Mark Bentley will come in to replace Jay, he is another attacking midfield player, so that will mean that we can keep the shape that we want to play with."

Leke Odunsi, Jamie Fullarton, Jimmy Corbett, Tes Bramble and Lewis Hunt are also sidelined for the Shrimpers.