Southend United

Image source, BBC Essex

Southend United captain Nathan Ralph could miss most of the rest of the season as he is likely to need surgery on a knee injury.

The 32-year-old has been with The Shrimpers since 2019 and has made 25 appearances this season.

"There's a tear in there so he'll probably need an op on it," boss Kevin Maher told BBC Essex.

"Until they go in there and do what they need to do we won't know fully but it's going to be a number of weeks (out), of course."

Southend are eighth in the National League, two points outside the play-off places, after reaching the final at Wembley last season, only to lose 3-2 to Oldham Athletic.

They are at home to Morecambe on Saturday but Maher expects they will have to play as many as nine games in March following Wednesday's postponement at Aldershot because of a waterlogged pitch.

Maher's side are also still in the FA Trophy and have a quarter-final away to Horsham on 28 February.

Image source, Shutterstock

Southend United have signed goalkeeper Owen Mason on a three-month loan deal from League One side Mansfield Town.

Mason, 21, made the bench for the Shrimpers' 4-1 win over Eastleigh on Tuesday night, but could make his debut for the club at Boston United on Saturday.

The goalkeeper has featured five times for the Stags following a debut in April 2025 and has had loan spells at Guiseley, Farsley Celtic, Wexford and Gateshead.

This season, Mason has played for Mansfield in three EFL Vertu Trophy games and in the FA Cup second round win against Accrington Stanley in early December, making three saves in a penalty shootout.

Image source, Shutterstock

Hartlepool United have signed goalkeeper Nick Hayes from fellow National League side Southend United in a permanent deal.

Hayes, 26, played 27 league games for Southend, including at Wembley in the play-off final defeat to Oldham Athletic, after a switch from Barnet in February last year for a second spell with the Shrimpers.