SOUTHEND Saxons will be hoping to shake off an injury crisis to beat Canterbury in a crucial National Two South clash at Warners Bridge tomorrow.

Southend sit 12th in the standings, one place above Canterbury and just two points clear of the relegation zone ahead of Saturday’s crucial encounter.

But Saxons director of rugby Chris Green will not be using the lengthy injury list as an excuse.

“We have a lot of injuries but there’s no point looking at who isn’t available, you just need to look at who is and get on with it,” said Green.

“It’s an important game and we’re going into it wanting to keep our spirits high and being as positive as we can be.

“Canterbury are just behind us in the league so it’s a game we want to win and we still can as well, despite the players who will be missing.”

Southend will be definitely be without at least eight first team players tomorrow with Nik Grier, Sam Fombo, Daniel Legge, Billy Driver, Sonny Gay, Iain Meads, Danny Cleare and Jack Daly all missing.

But Green feels the injuries can only be put down to bad luck.

“It’s not like Liverpool with Jurgen Klopp and all the hamstring injuries they’re getting, we’re picking up all kind of different problems in different ways,” said Green.

“It’s just the way it goes really and I don’t think it’s anything other than just bad luck if I’m honest.

“It’s one of the worst injury lists we’ve had since I’ve been here but we do have one or two coming back at least this weekend.”

One of those will be hooker Marcus Bloomberg who looks set for his first appearance of the season after recovering from a neck operation.

Adam Ferrier has also returned to the club and will feature again this weekend while the fit-again Kris Chesney is also back in contention.