Southend wait on Scott-Morriss injury updatepublished at 15:02 GMT 18 March
15:02 GMT 18 March
Image source, Warren Muggleton/BBC Essex
Southend United boss Kevin Maher is hoping that a hip problem which forced full-back Gus Scott-Morriss off the pitch in Tuesday's win over National League leaders Rochdale is nothing serious.
As well as his defensive role, Scott-Morriss has scored 29 goals for the Shrimpers in the past two seasons - 12 of them in the current campaign.
"At half-time he stiffened up a bit but wanted to get out there for the second half," Maher told BBC Essex Sport.
"You could see it tightening up and we couldn't take any risks. We'll have to see how he settles down."
Southend are unbeaten in five games in March, but have another four to play before the end of the month - the next at Altrincham on Saturday.
"I had a real honest conversation with him the other day about what he's feeling, how he's feeling," Maher told BBC Essex.
"When you get to know Noor, the person he is, he's quiet, introverted, quite shy - though he doesn't come across that way when he crosses the white line, of course.
"When you go through that as a player, that can be a dark place for players at times.
"It's important he has the right support around him and is looked after properly because he's done so much for this club.
"He was a huge part of the squad and the lads love him to bits. We're here for him any time he needs us.
"It's sometimes difficult because there's so much going on and when you're injured it can be a lonely place so it's important you have the right structures around you."
Southend are also without club captain Nathan Ralph following knee surgery, but go into Tuesday's home game against Boreham Wood in the National League play-off places.