SOUTHEND United midfielder Will Atkinson was forced to miss Saturday’s clash with Wycombe Wanderers after suffering a shoulder injury.

Atkinson had started eight of the Shrimpers’ last nine matches.

But he had to watch from the stands at the weekend after reporting the problem on the morning of the match.

“The curve ball was delivered to me around 11.30am on Saturday morning,” confirmed Blues boss Phil Brown.

“He took a couple of whacks in training on Thursday but he’s actually been suffering with a shoulder problem ever since he had the eye injury towards the start of the season.

“It’s tightened up and become a bit neural. He’s got through it up until now but he couldn’t get through it today.

“We gave him a fitness test and it was just a non starter so we decided to bring Kevan Hurst back in.”