Southend United vs Tranmere Rovers preview - Tommo blow for Shrimps

Southend will again be without Adam Thompson after he was ruled out for the rest of the season ahead of Tranmere's visit.

The defender went under the knife on Thursday for a shoulder problem which forced him to miss Monday's victory over Hartlepool.

Goalkeeper Daniel Bentley suffered a broken nose in that fixture while captain John White needed two stitches in a head injury but boss Phil Brown expects both to be okay for the weekend.

Kevan Hurst (hamstring) and Luke Prosser (concussion) are edging closer to returns having been back in training for over a week now.

Struggling Tranmere are sweating on midfielders George Green and Max Power.

Rovers lost Power during Monday's 1-0 loss to Luton when he was taken to hospital after feeling ill and although he is back training, the club are monitoring his condition.

And there were fears over Green too on Thursday as he complained of feeling similar symptoms, sparking fears a virus could be spreading around Micky Adams' ranks.

Defender Marcus Holness (knee) will not play again this season but Jason Koumas (hamstring) has declared himself fully fit again and Josh Thompson (head), Cole Stockton (hernia) and Matt Hill (Achilles) all played for the reserves in midweek.