SOUTHEND United goalkeeper Mark Oxley is not sure how much longer he will be spending on the sidelines.

Oxley has been out of action since mid-December with a back injury.

And the shot-stopper is uncertain when he will be fit enough to return to action.

“It’s a frustrating one really because you just have to take it week by week and see how it responds to treatment,” said Oxley.

“It’s not an injury where you can go and have a scan and find out you’re going to be out for four to six weeks and then go from there.

“I’ve had injections and I’ve seen a specialist but it’s slow progress and of course that’s frustrating to take.”

Oxley, who remains on 99 appearances for the Shrimpers, has been forced to sit out the last eight matches after suffering the problem in training.

“I was feeling fine and right as reign,” said the 28-year-old.

“My back was a little bit stiff but it didn’t seem to be anything bad but the next day it really started to come on.

“It got progressively worse and it’s not a nice one to have.

“It’s tough mentally as well because you don’t know when it’s going to get better.”

Oxley has been hit by back problems before during his career.

But the latest setback is nothing to do with his previous injuries.

“I’ve had back injuries in the past but they’re not related to this injury,” said Oxley.

“We will see what the specialist says when I see him and I’m doing all I can in the gym to work on my core strength.

“Everything I do in the gym feels fine but obviously being a goalkeeper you have to throw yourself around and that’s when the pain starts.

“But hopefully things will start to get better soon.”

And Oxley is keen to avoid having to have an operation.

“An operation would be the worse case scenario,” said the Shrimpers goalkeeper.

“Hopefully we can avoid that happening and things will start to improve soon.”

Oxley, who joined Blues in the summer of 2016, has been replaced between the sticks by 19-year-old Nathan Bishop who has made the most of the opportunity with some fine performances.