SOUTHEND United manager Chris Powell has called on other players to step up to the goalscoring plate - amid a shortage of Shrimpers strikers.

Stephen Humphrys’ fractured cheekbone means Simon Cox is only senior forward currently available for Blues.

But Powell has challenged other squad members to successfully fill the void.

“We have some young talent who will have to step up but the whole team will have to step up when it comes to scoring goals to win us games now,” said Powell.

“We lost Theo (Robinson) to Swindon who was back up and we didn’t get any of the targets we were hoping to get either so we were always stretched in that area.

“We’re even more stretched now after the injury to Stephen Humphrys but we just have to get on with it.”

Isaac Hutchinson replaced Humphrys following his injury against Accrington at the weekend while fellow youngsters Charlie Kelman and Norman Wabo are also pushing for selection.

However, Powell could also look to use Harry Bunn as a central striker after the former Manchester City trainee confirmed his return to full fitness by playing an hour for the under 23s against Luton Town on Tuesday.

“Harry is back and he’s another option for us in there,” said Powell.

“He was brought up as a number nine but he can also play wide so it’s good to have him available again.”

Powell has previously used midfielder Timothee Dieng further forward to play just behind Cox.