SOUTHEND Manor’s preparations for their trip to Clapton have been hampered by the news that three players have suffered long-term injuries.

Dylan Bradford has suffered a mass on the skull, while Murphy Duncan is out for up to a month and John-Joe Slater is sidelined with a broken rib.

As a result, boss Adam Peek will need to make a number of changes to his depleted side as they take on Clapton, who are 11th in the Essex Senior League standings.

“We have lost three players to long-term injuries and that is disappointing,” said Peek.

“Dylan collided with the railings around the pitch at Takeley and he has a mass on his skull, so he is unavailable until further scans have taken place.

“Murphy is out for three or four weeks after suffering a problem with his knee ligaments and John-Joe has broken a rib.

“We had a couple of new players in training this week and we still have a squad of 19, so we will take the strongest possible squad to Clapton.”