Kane not able

25 March 2011 10:30
Southend boss Paul Sturrock will be without Kane Ferdinand, along with several other first-team players for the trip to Stockport. The 18-year-old midfielder, who signed his first professional contract with the Essex club on Monday, will be unavailable due to his Republic of Ireland Under-19s call-up. Sturrock had hoped the teenager would be allowed to face the Hatters, but the Irish Football Association have insisted Ferdinand must travel with the squad for their game in Cyprus this weekend. Centre-back Luke Prosser remains sidelined with a calf problem while left-back Peter Gilbert is facing another week out with an ankle injury. Influential midfielder Craig Easton is absent with a calf problem which is likely to keep him out of action for another fortnight, while defender Bilel Mohsni (ankle) is also ruled out. Striker Harry Crawford is hoping for a recall after stepping off the bench to net a brace during last Friday's 4-0 thumping of Hereford.

Source: PA