SOUTHEND United striker Stephen Humphrys is still at least two weeks away from making a return to action.

Humphrys - who is the Shrimpers’ top scorer with five goals this season - has missed Blues’ last four matches with a thigh problem.

But Shrimpers boss Sol Campbell does not expect the forward back until next month.

“Stephen is coming along and the sooner he’s back the better but we have to take our time with him,” said Campbell.

“We will have to progress him at the right levels and he’s maybe two weeks away still but lets see how he progresses in the next 10 days or so.

“But he won’t be back any time in the next two or three weeks.”

Humphrys is currently joined on the treatment table by Luke Hyam (hamstring), Sam Mantom (hamstring), Joe Shaughnessy (knee), Charlie Kelman (ankle), Sam Barratt (cruciate ligaments), Harry Kyprianou (Achilles) and Lewis Gard (cruciate ligaments).

But Campbell does not expect any of the players to be back for this weekend’s clash against Oxford United.

“The break we’ve had hasn’t really allowed any to come back into contention,” said Campbell.

“Sam Barratt is nearing a return and he’s doing a lot of work but the main thing for us is making sure when players come back to training the gap is not gigantic.

“We don’t want them not being able to keep up with the intensity.

“It has to be a seamless transfer but before I think the gap was too big.

“People were coming back and breaking down but hopefully now when they come back they are five or 10 per cent off not 20 or 30 per cent off.”