SOUTHEND United midfielder Michael Timlin will be out for longer than first thought with a hamstring injury.

Timlin picked up the problem during last Saturday’s 3-2 win against West Ham United’s under-21 team.

And he now looks set to be missing for more than the six weeks which was first diagnosed, much to the disappointment of Blues boss Phil Brown.

“It’s a grade two tear rather than a grade one and Michael will be missing for longer than we first thought, which is disappointing,” said Brown.

“It should be beyond six weeks but how long it will be exactly I don’t know.

“We’ve witnessed with Michael before that he often comes back quicker than expected because he has a great attitude and hopefully that can happen again here.”

Timlin missed the final 10 games of last season with a knee problem.

And Brown is keen for the 31-year-old to avoid any further setbacks with his fitness.

“When he’s back we want a Michael Timlin who is not going to get injured in a collision,” said Brown.

“Maybe he needs to be more guarded or careful about his approach because with his experience he shouldn’t be getting impact injuries anymore.

“He needs to be conducting himself in the right way on and off the pitch, so when he crosses that white line he knows he can play 90 minutes.

“At the moment he’s in no man’s land with the injury and what’s happening in his life.

“He has to put everything in order and I’m here to help him not hinder him.

“I’m here to listen and hopefully we can get him back fit as quickly as we can and into the first team.”

Fellow midfielder Anthony Wordsworth is also set to miss the start of the season with a hamstring injury.

But Blues hope a pain-killing injection will stop Wordsworth needing surgery.