SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown could be forced into the loan market this week in a bid to bolster his ever depleting squad.

Ben Coker (back), Adam Barrett (calf), Ryan Leonard (shin) and David Mooney (hip) all picked up injuries during Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Sheffield United while Glen Rea suffered a calf problem while with Republic of Ireland’s under 21 team.

Adding to that, Anthony Wordsworth (ankle), Noel Hunt (ankle), Stephen McLaughlin (heel) and Gary Deegan (ankle) are still out, taking the tally of unfit players to nine.

And that could lead to Brown having to look at loan signings ahead of Saturday’s clash against Blackpool at Roots Hall.

“We’ve kept tabs on who is available on loan and we could well have to act on that front this week,” confirmed Brown.

“I will wait until Thursday to see how those who picked up knocks against Sheffield United start to respond to treatment.

“But if I can’t get my team out on the training ground by then it’s a case of needs must and we’re definitely going to have to make at least one loan signing, if not two.”

In the build-up to Saturday’s clash at Bramall Lane, Brown described the list of unavailabilities as the worst he had experienced since taking charge of the Shrimpers in March 2013.

However, the situation has worsened and Brown is waiting for news on McLaughlin, who is struggling with the injury he sustained during the 2-1 defeat at Scunthorpe United 10 days ago.

“Stephen is still in a lot of pain so we’re sending him to London to get a deeper scan on the injury,” confirmed Brown.

“That will hopefully identify what’s causing the pain and we can go from there.”

But fellow Irishman Deegan is now making progress from an ankle injury.

“Gary is now out of the boot he has been wearing,” said Brown.

“But the odds of him being available on Saturday are still less than 50/50 at this stage."