SOUTHEND United manager Chris Powell remains frustrated he cannot add to his injury-hit squad before January.

The transfer window for League One clubs will not re-open until the New Year.

But Powell - whose Blues side head to Barnsley tomorrow - does not feel that should be the case.

“It looks like November and December will be a testing time for us and this now shows my argument about getting rid of the emergency transfer window,” said Powell.

“It’s a nonsense.

“We can’t all carry big squads because financially it wouldn’t be right.

“They always say you’ll only get one or two out at a time but try saying that to us at the moment.

“You can get out of contract players but they won’t be fit because they’re not anywhere at the moment.

“By the time you get them up to speed it will be mid to late December and you might as well wait until January.”

Blues will be without Ben Coker (knee), Tom Hopper (knee), Rob Kiernan (knees), Sam Barratt (knee), Harry Lennon (fractured leg) and Lewis Gard (knee) tomorrow.

And Powell has been left saddened by the number of injury setbacks.

“I’m sad for the players and it’s a tough time,” said Powell.

“I feel sorry for the players, the staff and for Ron (Martin) too.

“You normally get one serious injury a season, if that, but to get four serious knee injuries and a broken leg is tough to take.”

However, Powell was also quick to point out nobody was at fault for the injury setbacks.

“I don’t want any blame to be put on any player or member of staff,” said the Blues boss.

“We’ve looked at the footwear and everything you could imagine.

“We’ve looked at it ourselves and wondered if we had done anything wrong in training but you just can’t legislate for this.

“With Tom Hopper there was no-one near him and no-one touched Ben Coker either.

“Sam Barratt kicked the bottom of a player’s leg and young Lewis was unstable.

“It’s just freak occurrences but the one on Harry I felt was a bad tackle on him.”

However, Powell is keen for those still available to battle on.

“I’m painting a sombre picture here but we have to get on with it,” said Powell.

“We’ve got to pick ourselves up, starting with the Barnsley game.”