SOUTHEND United’s on loan striker Jake Cassidy is a doubt for tomorrow’s match at Morecambe.
The 22-year-old, who has started Blues’ last six games, has been struggling with an illness this week.
And Blues boss Phil Brown is not sure whether or not Cassidy will recover in time to take on the Shrimps.
“We’ve had a bit of a scare with Jake Cassidy and he hasn’t really trained all week,” said the Brown.
“Jake’s been training inside on the treadmill and stuff like that because he’s had a sickness bug for three or four days since the Luton game.
“He hasn’t trained fully yet this week but hopefully he can recover in time to put himself into contention for the weekend.”
Cassidy is on loan with the Shrimpers from Wolverhampton Wanderers but has failed to score in 17 appearances for Blues.
Joe Pigott would be favourite to replace Cassidy if he fails to recover but, after a bright start with the Shrimpers, the on loan Charlton Athletic front-man has netted just once in his last 11 games.
Myles Weston could also be in contention, along with Jack Payne but club captain John White faces another late check on a hip problem.
White has missed the last three games with the injury he sustained towards the end of the 2-0 win against Newport County.
But he returned to training this week and could provide Brown will a selection headache this weekend.
“John is back in full training and it certainly could give me a real problem when it comes to picking the team,” said Brown.
“Ryan Leonard has come in and done well playing there so it’s a going to be a tough decision to have to make.”
Southend United (from): Bentley, Leonard, Bolger, Barrett, Coker, Atkinson, Deegan, Timlin, Worrall, Corr, Cassidy, White, Prosser, Barnard, T Smith, Hurst, Payne, Binnom-Williams, McLaughlin & Pigott
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