SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown is sweating on the fitness of defensive duo Ben Coker and Adam Thompson ahead of tomorrow’s meeting with Accrington Stanley at Roots Hall.

Coker is struggling with a hip problem while the in-form Thompson has a slight thigh injury.

And Brown is not sure whether or not they will be fit to figure this weekend.

“Ben Coker took a knock on the hip area against Cheltenham on Tuesday and he’s a little bit of a doubt for Saturday,” said the Shrimpers chief.

“Adam Thompson is saying his thigh is tight too so there’s a concern with him as well.

“If they train today then I would like to go with the same team but I can’t make that decision at the moment.

“The likes of Adam Barrett, Luke Prosser and Cian Bolger are certainly back in the reckoning, with Jerome Binnom-Williams maybe having to go to left back as well.

“Ideally, I like continuity in the back four but we might not have that this weekend.”

However, at the other end of the pitch, Blues have been boosted by the return of David Worrall.

The winger missed the Shrimpers’ last two matches with an illness.

But he has since returned to full training and is now pushing for a recall against Accrington.

“Dave is back in full training and is certainly staking a claim for a place,” said Brown.

“That means I have another real selection headache because he’s one of our most potent players this season.

“He has a good return in terms of goals and assists and in many ways he’s like Kevan Hurst was for us last season.”

However, if Worrall is to be recalled then Blues may also have to change formation and alter the shape of diamond shape of the midfield.

“Dave’s an out and out winger so if he played I would then also have to think about how I could accommodate Jack Payne, Will Atkinson or Michael Timlin so it’s a real dilemma in more ways than one,” said Brown.

“I would also have to leave someone out and that’s the hard part of management. It’s difficult but I enjoy it.

“You have to get your point of view across without losing the player.

“My managers never spoke to me like I talk to my players and being honest is the only way forward. “ The competition for places has helped the Shrimpers move up to fourth in the table, with just one defeat in their last 16 games.

But Brown is expecting another difficult afternoon against Accrington.

“Accrington will be far more stubborn and organised and more difficult to play against than Cheltenham,” said the Blues boss.

“This will be a hard game.”