SOUTHEND United manager Paul Sturrock fears Mark Phillips and Jean-Paul Kalala could both be facing long lay-offs after picking up injuries during Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Shrewsbury Town.

Phillips limped off with a groin problem before Kalala joined him on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.

And Sturrock is worried they could be out of action for a few weeks.

“It was a blow that they both had to come off and we’re worried they might be long-term injuries now,” said Sturrock, whose team remain top of League Two.

“Mark felt something in his groin and JP is struggling too and it was disappointing because it meant we couldn’t bring Jack Sampson on in the game.

“But hopefully the injuries will settle down and not be as bad as we fear because they are both important players for us.”

The knocks added to an already miserable afternoon for Blues after they were beaten 2-1 at Greenhous Meadow.

The Shrews played for more than an hour with 10 men after striker Marvin Morgan was sent off for a challenge on Jean-Paul Kalala. But Sturrock felt the dismissal made the match more difficult for his side.

“I think I would’ve preferred it if they had stayed with 11 players,” said the Scotsman.

“Playing against 10 men and a crowd who feel hard done by is a dangerous combination and that’s how it proved."

FULL STORY IN MONDAY'S ECHO