Southend set to hand debut to on-loan Brentford goalkeeper Patrik Gunnarsson

Posted Friday, February 21, 2020 by PA

Southend will have on-loan Brentford goalkeeper Patrik Gunnarsson available for Saturday’s League One match against Burton.

The 19-year-old Icelandic stopper has arrived on a week-long emergency loan after injury to Mark Oxley left 18-year-old duo Harry Seaden and Callum Taylor as the only options in Sol Campbell’s squad.

Campbell is hoping to have Brandon Goodship and Jason Demetriou available after both missed the midweek defeat to Gillingham.

Goodship had an ankle problem while Demetriou has been out with a knee injury, but Campbell indicated both could come back into contention.

Ben Garratt is set to make his first start for Burton in goal after Kieran O’Hara was injured in last weekend’s 4-1 defeat to Ipswich.

O’Hara has not trained this week after hurting his ankle shortly before half-time, with Garratt replacing him to make his Brewers debut.

Defender Colin Daniel has returned to training but Saturday’s match could come too soon, while there are also question marks over fellow defenders Jake Buxton and John-Joe O’Toole.

O’Toole was an unused substitute last weekend but Nigel Clough indicated he was still struggling with a groin problem, while Buxton has been sidelined by a rib issue.