SOUTHEND United skipper John White was forced off towards the end of the 2-0 victory against Newport County after suffering a hip flexor injury.

The right-back was replaced by Jerome Binnom-Williams for the final 11 minutes of the match.

But boss Phil Brown claimed the substitution was a precautionary measure.

“It was just a precaution that John White had to come off,” said Brown.

“He could’ve limped on if we wanted to.”

Brown will now be waiting to see how White responds to treatment ahead of Saturday’s trip to Exeter City.

But he is hoping the defender will be available, along with Binnom-Williams who is heading back to his parent club Crystal Palace for talks.

“Jerome will be going back to Crystal Palace on Thursday to have a chat with the manager there but hopefully he will be joining us on the bus to Exeter on Friday.”