Southend United left-back Johnny Herd looks set for at least four weeks on the sidelines it has been confirmed.

Herd has suffered a hamstring tear against Milton Keynes Dons and looks set to be sidelined for up to a month.

Meanwhile, winger Francis Laurent should be fit in around ten days time.

The Frenchman limped off on Tuesday night during Blues 2-0 defeat at Tranmere Rovers also with a hamstring problem.

However, a scan on Thursday confirmed that he had only strained the muscle and not torn it as first feared.

Blues will be boosted next week also by the return of Osei Sankofa to first team training.

Sankofa has been out for nearly two months with a knee problem but the former Charlton trainee will return to light squad training on Monday morning.