Southend United manager Kevin Maher has provided an injury update in regards to two of the club’s players who missed this weekend’s match, during an interview with the Echo News.
Both Wes Fonguck and Oli Coker missed the trip to Gateshead over the weekend with injury setbacks, but now their stances ahead of the club’s next league match have been revealed during a post-match interview.
Southend United were held by Gateshead to a 1-1 draw, in a tough match between two in-form sides. Stephen Wearne fired Gateshead ahead with his 16th goal contribution of the season before Harry Cardwell brought the visitors back onto level terms.
Fonguck joined Southend United in July 2022 following his three-year stint with fellow National League side Barnet. He has made 18 appearances in the league this season, scoring twice but hasn’t found the net since September.
Meanwhile, Oli Coker is a product of Southend’s youth setup as well as earning a promotion medal with Aveley whilst on loan last season, helping them to reach the National League South. The 20-year-old has scored three goals in 16 appearances so far this season.
The draw for Southend United puts them 14th in the National League, ten points outside of the play-off places as we approach the halfway stage of the season.
Following Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Gateshead, manager Kevin Maher spoke to the Echo News and provided an important injury update regarding two of his first-team squad. He stated…
“Wes tweaked his hamstring on Friday and Oli has got a quad injury,
“Oli didn’t train until Thursday because he was carrying it and he had to pull out of the session but we don’t know how bad either of them are yet.
“Well get in again on Monday and see where we’re at. We’ll count the wounded and then see who is available next week.”
Writer’s View
Southend United have a very thin squad and both players would have made a difference on Saturday although that doesn’t necessarily mean the result would have changed.
The club are back in action against Wealdstone this weekend, a side that will be fresh from their victory over Barnet and if the duo are back, it will give Kevin Maher’s side the advantage.