SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown believes Harry Kyprianou will be ready to step up for the Shrimpers if required at Chesterfield this afternoon.

The 20-year-old made five senior appearances for Blues in the first four months of the season before the return of Ben Coker and a torn groin tendon saw him drop out of the squad.

As a result, Kyprianou has not featured for the Shrimpers since starting the 4-0 defeat against Stevenage in the Checkatrade Trophy in early November.

But a succession of injuries to defenders have brought Kyprianou back into contention.

And Brown is confident the former Watford youngster would be able to stand firm against the Spireites.

“Harry has had a good season and has already been able to show what he can do,” said the Blues boss.

“He’s made his league debut and he’s scored on his league debut too away at Bolton.

“He got back to back games but found himself out of the team when Ben Coker came back before he also got injured which meant Michael Timlin went in at left-back the next time Cokes was out.

“But he has a great left foot and can play at left-back or as a left sided centre-back so he could well be needed in one of the two games over the course of this weekend.”

Ben Coker will definitely miss this afternoon’s game with a knee problem along with Ryan Inniss who has a dislocated shoulder.

Adam Thompson (tonsillitis), Anton Ferdinand (back and hip) and John White (hip) are also doubtful.

The lengthy injury list has also led to Kyprianou’s house-mate - Dan Matsuzaka - being added to the squad.

But Brown has no problems calling on the club’s youth system.

“Jason Demetriou is the only defender we have fit although Luke O’Neill can play there too but other than that we’re relying on the youth policy we have here,” said the Blues boss.

“That’s what it’s all about though.

“It’s a pressure cooker situation at this stage of the season but whoever we call upon has to be able to stand up to it.

“There is little room for error now.”