Southend United vs Portsmouth preview - Coker out for Shrimpers

Posted Friday, September 12, 2014 by PA

Southend suffered a major blow ahead of their League Two clash against Portsmouth with the news that Ben Coker will be out for up to four months with an elbow injury.

United already had Michael Timlin on the sidelines with a similar injury suffered in a pre-season friendly.

However, Conor Clifford is fit and raring to go against his former club after recovering from a knock he picked up towards the end of last weekend's draw with Oxford.

Crystal Palace youngster Jerome Binnom-Williams has been brought in on a one-month loan deal and could feature.

"Jerome is someone we know about from speaking to Tony Pulis," said Phil Brown on the club website. "He's big, he's strong and he's quick, he'll fit right in.

"Losing Ben is a blow because he's been an important part of our play, but hopefully Jerome can come in and make an impression."

United already had Michael Timlin on the sidelines with a similar injury suffered in a pre-season friendly, but Conor Clifford is fit and raring to go against his former club after recovering from a knock he picked up towards the end of last weekend's draw with Oxford.

Pompey will check on the fitness of Nigel Atangana and Nick Awford after the midfield duo missed last Sunday's 2-0 defeat at leaders Burton.

Atangana was absent with a hamstring problem and Awford sat out with a shoulder injury.

Skipper Ben Chorley is fit after a dead leg and fellow defender Jack Whatmough is back from international duty with England Under-19s.

Striker Patrick Agyemang could be handed his first start of the season having made two substitute appearances since recovering from a hamstring injury.