SOUTHEND United defender Jason Demetriou is willing to have a pain-killing injection in order to face MK Dons tomorrow night.

The Shrimpers right-back missed Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Portsmouth with a rib problem.

But Blues boss Phil Brown hopes the 30-year-old will be fit to feature at Stadium MK.

“Jason’s willing to take an injection, I know they’re a hot topic at the moment in the Premier League, but he will do that if necessary to get out there tonight,” said the Southend boss.

“He’s been out training and hopefully he’ll have come through that OK, but he has to be pain free before he returns.

“He’s presenting the symptoms of a fractured rib but the scans and x-rays don’t show anything.

“He can do everything but sprint, but all we can do is try to push him through it and see what happens.”

Without Demetriou at the weekend, John White switched to right-back.

And Brown expects him to be fit for tonight’s clash despite the defender coming off with a tight hamstring at Fratton Park.

“I’m hoping we took John off in time for him to be involved tomorrow night,” said Brown.

“He was complaining of a tight hamstring which could have been down to the extra running you have to do at right-back, but hopefully he’ll be OK to play.”

But Brown will also need to make a decision on Michael Turner.

The centre-back played his first League game in 18 months when lining up against Portsmouth on Saturday.

And Brown must now choose whether or not the 34-year-old will be able to feature for the second time in four days.

“It’s something I need to think about,” said Brown.

“If I start him and he breaks down it’s my fault and if I don’t start him and we lose the game that’s my fault too.

“Michael wants to start but it’s an important issue because we need to maintain the improved defensive record.”