SOUTHEND United duo Sam Mantom and Stephen Humphrys were forced to missed today’s 1-0 win at MK Dons with illness.

And Blues’ caretaker boss Gary Waddock revealed they were not the only ones struggling.

“There was a stomach bug going round,” said Waddock.

“We lost Sam and Stephen to it and a couple of them played with it too.”

But there were not the only absentees for Blues as Jason Demetriou also missed out due to an ongoing knee problem.

“We have to manage his knee and settle it down,” said Waddock.

“But there’s no great issue there.”

And the Shrimpers were also forced into making a change at the break with Isaac Hutchinson replacing Stephen McLaughlin.

“Stephen McLaughlin took a knock to his head,” said Waddock.

“We didn’t want to take any risks with him so he had to come off.”