LEE Sawyer will miss all of Southend United’s festive fixtures after suffering a recurrence of a thigh problem.

The 22-year-old midfielder was out for two months with the original injury he sustained in September.

And he is now facing at least another fortnight on the sidelines with the latest setback he picked up during training.

“It’s really frustrating for me because there are a lot of games coming up over Christmas and I was hoping to be involved in them,” said Sawyer.

“I came on against Bradford on Friday and thought it went OK, so I thought I might be given more chances.

“I haven’t really felt a part of things this season because I think I’ve only been involved in about three of the last 24 matches we’ve had.

“I was hoping to change that but my thigh is pretty painful again now and the way it’s feeling at the moment I would expect to be out for at least two weeks.”

The injury rules Sawyer out of the trip to Aldershot Town on Boxing Day and the game at AFC Wimbledon on New Year’s Eve.

He is also likely to miss the home clash with Dagenham & Redbridge on Monday, January 2.

FULL STORY IN THURSDAY'S ECHO