SOUTHEND United boss Kevin Maher will not be rushing Rhys Murphy’s return to action.

Murphy has been on the bench for Blues’ last two games.

And Maher is keen to carefully manage the striker’s workload as he looks to regain full match sharpness after a spell on the sidelines.

“We need to do it the right way because he's been out an awful long time,” said Maher.

“He came back and had a setback so it's picking the right moments for him.

“I'm sure he will build up his minutes as we go and we've got a lot of games coming up.

“But I've got to be careful to a certain extent and not throw people straight in.

“We don't want people breaking down again.”

Murphy spent 10 months on the sidelines with a knee injury before suffering an ankle problem on just his third substitute appearance back in action.

The forward is likely to be on the bench against Solihull Moors this weekend but Blues will again be without goalkeepers Steve Arnold (hip) and Collin Andeng Ndi (hamstring).

Right wing-back Gus Scott-Morriss is also sidelined after having his appendix removed.

But he is expected to be back at Boots & Laces today.

“Gus hasn't come back in yet because he can't drive again as of yet,” said Maher.

“I think he might be back in the building on Friday and we'll see where he's at.

“We will see how his recovery is going and the operation went as well as possible.”

Midfielder Dan Mooney will again be missing with a knee injury this weekend.

But he has returned to the training ground.

“Moons was back on Thursday,” said Maher.

“He's had fluid drained off his knee which he's had to let settle down.

“Hopefully in the next few days we'll see where's he at and he can get back on the grass.”

Centre-back Shaun Hobson is available again after serving a match one suspension but Maher added striker Jake Hyde was still ‘a bit off’ returning from a hamstring injury.

The forward has not played since the end of October.