SOUTHEND United manager Mark Molesley could be missing five players for tomorrow’s Carabao Cup first round tie at Gillingham.

Left-backs Nathan Ralph (shoulder) and Tom Clifford (thigh) are both ruled out while defenders Timothee Dieng (calf) and Harry Lennon (calf) are unlikely to figure along with midfielder Jason Demetriou (knee).

But Molesley will not be rushing anyone back to play.

“We have to be careful with a couple of people who are injured and we can’t afford to rush people back too early,” said Molesley.

“We need them back as quickly as we can but we also have to look long-term because it’s a long, hard season.

“We want to make sure when they do come back they stay back.”

Defender Harry Kyprianou, whose only first team appearance since November 2018 came against Gillingham, is fit to feature after returning to action against Concord Rangers on Tuesday night and striker Stephen Humphrys has also been given the green light to return.

Humphrys was forced to miss the match against Concord after feeling unwell but he has now been given the green light to return.

“He has been retested now and he was back training yesterday,” confirmed Molesley.

“It’s good news for us.”

Winger Jordan Green is in line to make his Blues debut.