A TRIO of injured Southend United players are facing longer on the sidelines.

Striker Danny Waldron has been ruled out for six to eight weeks with a knee injury, midfielder Oli Coker will miss at least another month with an ankle problem while striker Josh Walker will be unavailable for a minimum of two weeks due to a hamstring issue.

And Shrimpers boss Kevin Maher admits the injuries are far from ideal.

“It’s obviously not good news for us,” said Maher.

“Danny, Cokes and Walks are all going to be out for a little while yet and it’s disappointing as we didn’t have the biggest of squads to begin with.

“But it does gives others an opportunity to play and it’s up to them to go and take that now.”

Summer signing Walker has missed the last three games with a hamstring issue he suffered in training while Waldron picked up his knee problem during the 2-1 defeat at Barnet 10 days ago.

And the duo have now been joined on the treatment table by Coker who picked up an ankle injury during the 2-2 draw with Dagenham & Redbridge last time out.

Blues have also been weakened by striker Harry Cardwell joining Forest Green Rovers and centre-back Ollie Kensdale being unavailable for selection following a breach of club discipline.

However, the Shrimpers did bolster their squad with the addition of two new signings at the end of last week.

Blues brought in striker Aribim Pepple on a season long loan from Luton Town while ex West Ham United midfielder Keenan Appiah-Forson signed a two year deal with the National League club.