ON loan Southend United midfielder Sam Mantom is ‘touch and go’ to return against MK Dons this weekend.

Mantom, who is with the Shrimpers from Scunthorpe United until the end of the season, missed Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Oxford United with a thigh problem.

But the 26-year-old is doing all he can to face MK Dons at Roots Hall.

“I’ll be touch and go for Saturday,” said Mantom.

“We’re giving it every chance but this will be a big day in deciding what happens. I’ve been in every day with the medical team and we couldn’t have done any more to get ready.”

Mantom’s season had been disrupted by injury prior to joining the Shrimpers on transfer deadline day in January. And, having started three out of the previous four games, the composed midfielder was frustrated to be forced back onto the sidelines.

“I pulled out on the Thursday, so it’s been a week now, but it’s settled down quite well and (physio) Ben (Clarkson) and the rest of the team are doing all they can,” said Mantom.

“Everytime I went to pass a ball or went to change direction quickly, my thigh was playing up a bit.

“I spoke to Ben and the manager and we decided it was best to pull me out for the Oxford game, but it wasn’t a decision I wanted to make.

“I had got in the team and felt I had produced some decent performances, which is what I wanted here. It wasn’t nice not playing but hopefully it will work out for me and I’ll be fine for Saturday.”

The Shrimpers face the Dons sitting 15th in the table with just four games to go. And Mantom is keen to finish the season on a high.

“I want to be involved in every single one of the games we have left,” said the midfielder.

“I’ve missed a bit of the season and there’s not an end of season feel for me personally and everyone will want to bounce back from losing.”

But Mantom is still not sure where he will be next season.

“It’s all up in the air,” he said.

“Scunthorpe are focusing on the play-offs but I’m sure there will be a few chats behind closed doors in the coming weeks which I think will be interesting.”