SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown has been given the backing to bring in another defender on loan after an injury to Adam Thompson added to Blues’ problems at the back.

Thompson missed last night’s clash at Northampton Town after picking up a calf problem and joins Luke Prosser, Cian Bolger and Julian Bennett on the sidelines.

Brown is keen to bolster his options with ex-Blues loanee Jean Yves-M’Voto believed to be on his list of potential targets.

“We don’t know how long Adam is going to be out for but we’ve been given the backing by the chairman to try and bring another defender in and that’s certainly what we will be looking to do,” said Brown.

“It’s remarkable how we seem to be collecting injuries to defenders and we did try and bring one in before last night’s game but we couldn’t make it happen.

“We will keep trying though and hopefully we will be able to get one before the Wycombe game on Saturday.”

M’Voto made 19 appearances for Blues during the 2009/10 season but he has played 17 games for Barnsley this term and it remains to be seen if the Tykes will allow the Frenchman to leave on loan.

Brown is also believed to have been in contact with several other players in a bid to strengthen his options at Roots Hall.