SOUTHEND United’s player of the year Mark Phillips is refusing to rule himself out of Wednesday night’s semi-final second leg clash against Crewe Alexandra at Roots Hall.

The centre-back was forced to come off midway through the second half of the 1-0 defeat at Gresty Road on Saturday.

But, despite currently having his arm in a protective sling, Phillips is still desperate to play.

“I’m still waiting for the results of an X-ray I had on my shoulder but I’m a positive person and I’m not going to rule myself out at this stage,” said Phillips.

“I didn’t really want to come off at the weekend, but I was in agony and in the end I couldn’t defend properly because I was in so much pain.

“However, I’m hoping that I will be OK again on Wednesday because it’s a huge game, but much will depend on what the X-ray shows up.”

Phillips sustained the injury in the first half against the Railwaymen after falling awkwardly following a headed clearance away from Crewe striker A-Jay Leitch-Smith.

And he then suffered another knock on the same arm which forced him to eventually come off.

“Their striker caught me and I landed right on my shoulder which wasn’t nice to be honest,” said Phillips.

“Then I fell on it again and had no strength in my arm to cushion my fall, so I was in trouble after that.

“I wanted to carry on because it was such a big game, but in the end I couldn’t defend properly, so I had to be substituted.”

Phillips is likely to be replaced by Luke Prosser if he fails to recover in time for tomorrow night’s clash.

FULL STORY IN TUESDAY'S ECHO