SOUTHEND United have failed in a late bid to have Nile Ranger available for tonight's clash at Shrewsbury Town.

Ranger is still wearing an electronic tag following his release from prison and must adhere to a 7pm curfew.

And that ruled him out against the Shrews, despite the best efforts of Blues boss Phil Brown.

"We tried everything we could for Nile to play but it wasn’t to be," said Brown.

"He came to the hotel pre-match in Oswestry and we prepared him as if he was playing.

"But when it became clear he couldn't play my chief scout dropped him off on his way to watching Northampton."