SOUTHEND United manager Mark Molesley remains ‘drastically short’ of players for tonight’s match with Forest Green Rovers at Roots Hall.

The game will go ahead despite the Shrimpers having to postpone Saturday’s clash with Cambridge United.

But Molesley will not have too many options to pick from.

“We’re drastically short but that seems to have been our luck since we’ve been here,” said Molesley.

“It seems to be one step forward and two steps back at times with trying to get our most experienced players onto the pitch at the same time.

“We haven’t quite been able to do that yet but in hardship comes a lot of opportunity and we can’t get down about it.

“It’s a big game against a good side but we do still have some very good players available.”

Blues will definitely be without strikers Kazaiah Sterling and Emile Acquah along with winger Ashley Nathaniel-George due to coronavirus restrictions.

Harry Lennon has now been forced back onto the sidelines with knee problem which is likely to keep him out for a significant period of time while on loan midfielder Kyle Taylor is still out with a hamstring problem.

Nathan Ralph and Lewis Gard are both out with cruciate ligament injuries but the long list of absentees will hand opportunities to other members of the squad.

Molesley added: "It’s a tough one to take. In frustrating moments comes great opportunities for other people. Tonight certainly presents that."