SOUTHEND United centre-back Adam Thompson is an injury doubt for tonight’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy clash at AFC Wimbledon.

Thompson had been expected to replace the suspended Cian Bolger in the starting line-up at the Kingsmeadow Stadium.

But he is struggling with a shin injury, which Blues boss Phil Brown fears may rule the defender out.

“Adam is a doubt with a shin injury he suffered in a clash with Reuben Reid at the weekend and I do feel sorry for him,” said Brown.

“Last season was very stop start for him because of injury and now he’s got his chance this season, only to get another injury.

“It’s a contact injury so there’s no muscular damage and fingers crossed hopefully he will be OK to play because he’s been so unlucky with injuries.”

Mads Ibenfeldt is also pushing for a place in the defence while winger David Worrall, midfielder Gary Deegan and attackers Lee Barnard and Jack Payne are also among those being considered for a recall.

And Brown is desperate for his side to get back to winning ways after failing to triumph in their last three outings.

“This is a chance for us to put things right,” said Brown.

“It’s another away game, which is thankfully not quite as far away as our previous two, and we want to get the right result.

“We’ve not been showing enough quality or composure in the final third and that’s going to be the key in our performances now.

“We need to keep playing the way we have been but we need to relax when we’re looking to score because that’s all that’s really missing at the moment.”

Blues have scored just once in their last three games.

But Brown was also keen to stress it is not just the strikers who need to improve in front of goal.

“John White had a chance at the weekend and he didn’t take it,” said the Shrimpers boss.

“That epitomises what I’m saying because we created the chance with some good football but we weren’t able to take it.

“It’s not just the strikers we’re looking at to score goals and it will be another stern test for everyone tonight.”