SOUTHEND United midfielder Anthony Wordsworth is set to be out of action for at least a fortnight with a calf problem.

Wordsworth will miss tomorrow’s game with Fleetwood Town at Roots Hall.

But boss Phil Brown hopes to be boosted by the return of defenders John White and Anton Ferdinand.

“Anthony Wordsworth has had a scan on his calf and there’s a little tear in there so he will be out for a couple of weeks,” said Brown.

“But John White and Anton Ferdinand have both come out of the treatment room now along with Michael Timlin, who came on at Northampton last weekend, so it’s not all bad news.”

White and Ferdinand will both be pushing for recalls in defence while Timlin will hope to feature in midfield.

And Brown confirmed he would be picking a senior side in a bid to turn things around - meaning in-form youngster Norman Wabo is unlikely to start.

“Norman will be in the squad but at this moment in time with the situation we’re in it’s all hands to the pump and it would be remiss of me to call on too many young lads,” said Brown, whose side have triumphed just twice in their last 12 outings.

“It’s a pressure cooker situation we’re in and it’s a moment for senior professionals to step up to the plate, so it’s good we have three of them coming back from the treatment room for the game.”

In contrast to Blues, Fleetwood head into the clash with just one defeat in five games.

Uwe Rosler’s charges drew 0-0 with Premier League side Leicester City in the FA Cup last weekend and Brown is expecting to face a well-organised team.

“Uwe Rosler is a meticulous manager who prepares his team for every game,” said Brown.

“They were full strength against Leicester and they made changes in the week for the Checkatrade Trophy, so he has options.

“But there is a lot of speculation about his players and two or three maybe moving on so it’s up in the air what they might throw at us.

“But we just need to focus on ourselves and try to cause them problems.”

Blues will again be without midfielder Josh Wright (hamstring) and goalkeeper Ted Smith (shoulder).

Defender Rob Kiernan (knee) is also out but has been pencilled in to return against Wigan Athletic at the start of February.