SOUTHEND United manager Chris Powell is hopeful John White and Tom Hopper will both be fit to face Gillingham this weekend.

The duo both limped off against Oxford United on Saturday and will not feature against Colchester United in the Checkatrade Trophy on Tuesday night.

But Powell has not ruled them out of returning against the Gills.

"John and Tom both have hamstring injuries but it’s not as bad as we first thought,” said Powell.

"In three game weeks you’re always likely to get knocks and niggles but hopefully they will be OK.

“I think Tom’s hamstring could have been just cramp and it was actually his ankle he was more worried about.

“They won’t be included against Colchester but there’s an outside chance for Gillingham for one of them, if not both.”

White has started the last 13 games for the Shrimpers while Hopper tops Blues' scoring charts with six goals so far this season.