SOUTHEND United midfielder Jack Bridge will miss tonight’s pre-season friendly at Canvey Island with a rib injury.

The 20-year-old was forced off towards the end of Saturday’s clash at Great Wakering Rovers.

And Blues boss Phil Brown is not sure when the youngster will be fit enough to return.

“Jack will miss tonight’s game and maybe Braintree on Saturday as well,” said Brown.

We’re not too sure how long he will be out for but we’ve found a hairline fracture in one of Jack’s ribs, so he’s obviously in some discomfort.

“He got the injury on Friday but thought he could get through the game, which is why he played.

“But he ended up holding it throughout the game and it would have been crazy for him to continue like that in a pre-season friendly.”

Blues will again have trialist defenders Gavin Gunning and William Edjenguele in their squad tonight, plus midfielder Tom Rosenthal and striker Ronan Murray.

And Brown will be deciding the quartet’s fate at the final whistle.

“Ronan, Tom, William and Gavin all still here and I will make a decision on all four of them after the game,” said Brown.

“We will treat this the same as Saturday but the team who played the second half will start the game this time.”

As a result, winger Stephen McLaughlin and midfielder Anthony Wordsworth are both set to miss out.

“I think this game is probably a bit too soon for them,” said Brown.

“We have to be sensible about it.”

Tonight’s game is at 7.45pm.