SOUTHEND United boss Kevin Maher admits Harry Cardwell departure is  a huge loss for the Shrimpers.

Cardwell joined Forest Green Rovers last week after the National League club triggered a release clause in the striker’s contract at Roots Hall.

And Maher knows Cardwell will be sorely missed.

"From where we were in the summer to now is different and I thought we only needed three or four but with Cards going it’s a huge, huge loss for us,” said Maher.

"He led the line and he’s one of the best centre-forwards in the league and with the injuries we’ve got it means we’re very, very short.

“We were behind anyway and now we’ve got to regroup again and get bodies in."

Cardwell scored 29 goals in 86 appearances for the Shrimpers.

And Maher believes the 27-year-old is among the best strikers in the league.

“For me he’s one of the best strikers in the league and he led the line for us,” said Maher.

"It's out of my hands and that’s part and parcel of it but for him to go to a team in our league is probably disappointing.

“It shows what they’re doing to try and get out of it but I’d have loved Cards to go into the league if he was to leave us.

“It’s not to be and we’ve got to look forward now and get adequate replacements in of the level we need which is really, really difficult at this stage of the season without spending big money."