SOUTHEND United under 23s take on Portsmouth in the Premier League Cup tonight – but Anthony Wordsworth is not yet ready to be involved.

Shrimpers boss Phil Brown had been hoping Wordsworth – who has been out since April with a hamstring injury – would be fit to figure in Hampshire.

But the midfielder will not be playing in the game.

“I’m obviously keen to get Woody back out there because he’s a big player for us but we have to be patient,” said Brown.

“The medical staff are being cautious with him and he won’t be playing in the Portsmouth game.

“But he isn’t far away now.”