SOUTHEND United striker Nile Ranger is expected to be out of action for up to six weeks with an ankle injury.

Ranger hobbled off during the first half of Tuesday night’s 3-0 win at Sheffield United.

But Blues boss Phil Brown was pleased to discover the 25-year-old had suffered no broken bones.

“The massive positive for me is that there’s no breakage in the bones,” said Brown.

“Nile’s had one x ray and he will have another one today.

“He will also have an MRI scan and a more in depth scan too to look at the ligaments.

“But at the moment it’s looking more like a grade two than a grade one ankle strain and that could be four to six weeks.

“That’s bad news but at the same time it’s good news there’s no break.”