Southend United manager Phil Brown keen to avoid further injury setbacks against Colchester

Anthony Wordsworth (hamstring), Michael Timlin (hamstring) and Nile Ranger (groin) will all miss Saturday’s encounter with the U’s.

And Brown is desperate to avoid further fitness problems with his players in their final warm-up game ahead of the League One season.

“I’ve been pleased with pre-season in terms of fitness and results but in terms of injuries it’s been really poor,” said Brown.

“We had been hoping that Woody was going to be fit by now and it’s been frustrating that it hasn’t happened.

“We’ve now also lost Michael Timlin to a hamstring problem of his own, while Nile Ranger has a groin injury which is troubling him.

“It’s disappointing and now all I’m bothered about  on Saturday is making sure we come out of the match unscathed, so we can at least have half a squad available for the first league game with Gillingham next weekend.

And Brown believes lining up against Colchester - Blues’ local rivals - will also be good preparation for the game against the Gills.

“We’ve had a few different kind of tests during pre-season but I think this one will be most like a League One or League Two game,” said Brown.

“I think it’s a good one to have as our last game before the season starts and being against Colchester there could even be a bit more of an edge to it as well.”

Jakub Sokolik will be in the Shrimpers squad after completing a move back to Roots Hall.

But Brown is still keen to make more signings and is in talks with a trio of players.

“We are still working tirelessly to bring people in and we’re talking to three players at the moment,” said Brown

“We’re in talks with a striker, a wide midfielder and a centre back and hopefully we will see the fruits of our labour next week before the season starts.”

Today's game kicks off at 3pm at Roots Hall and will see former Blues defender Luke Prosser lining up for Colchester, who he joined after leaving Roots Hall this summer.