SOUTHEND United left-back Ben Coker is facing at least a month on the sidelines with a groin problem.

Coker has struggled through Blues’ last few games with the injury.

But he now requires an operation to regain full fitness and Shrimpers boss Phil Brown is already seeking a replacement on loan.

“It’s a blow to be losing Ben but we need to get him back fit and he can’t keep on playing through the pain like he has been doing,” said Brown.

“When we got back into the changing room after the Swindon game on Saturday it became clear Ben had been struggling to run and get out of our half.

“We had to try and cover him and it’s not an ideal situation for anyone so it’s best we get it sorted.

“The pain is around his groin and abdominal area and he’s going to have an operation to cure it.”

Brown likened Coker’s injury to one which had recently been suffered by Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri.

But the speed of Nasri’s comeback has given Brown hope that the Shrimpers left-back will not miss too many matches.

“Ben’s injury is more of less exactly the same as Sami Nasri has just had,” confirmed Brown.

“We had originally been told Ben was going to be out for five weeks but Nasri returned in three and a half so we’re now looking at Ben being back in about a month’s time.

“It’s still bad news because he’s a key player for us but there’s no other option now.”

Blues are also without John White, who can play at left-back, for the next two weeks with a hamstring injury while further scans on Stephen McLaughlin’s ankle problem have revealed he will also be missing for a fortnight.

Youngsters Harry Kyprianou and Manny Adeyeye – who have yet to appear for the first team – are therefore the only available left-backs in the squad.

But Brown is close to bringing in a temporary replacement.

“We are looking at bringing in someone on loan and we’re just waiting on a couple of phone calls now,” said the 56-year-old.

“I’m confident we will definitely have someone in before the Peterborough game this weekend.”