SOUTHEND United manager Sol Campbell will not be rushing any of the Shrimpers’ injured players back too soon.

Blues currently have nine members of their squad on the sidelines.

But Campbell will only be bringing the players back when they are fully fit to play.

“I don’t expect anyone to be back from injury for the game with Wimbledon tonight,” said the former England international.

“Most of the injuries are three to four weeks away until they will be battle ready to come back onto the pitch and we will wait for them.

“I think in the past people have come back too quickly.”

However, Campbell is keen to avoid that happening again.

“The process of the players coming back has not been looked at properly,” said Campbell.

“Sometimes they have broken down after a couple of weeks of being back because it wasn’t the right time.

“I want players to be ready when they come back.

“I don’t want them half ready. I want them ready to go, not mid-stream, so it’s still a bit of a risk.

“Yes, we’re desperate for players to come back but I would rather them miss a couple of weeks and then they can play the rest of the season than coming back too soon and being out for longer.”

Blues defenders Joe Shaughnessy (knee), John White (broken arm) and Harry Kyprianou (Achilles) are still sidelined along with midfielders Luke Hyam (hamstring), Sam Mantom (hamstring) and Lewis Gard (cruciate ligaments).

Winger Sam Barratt (cruciate ligaments) is also still out along with strikers Charlie Kelman (ankle) and Stephen Humphrys (thigh).

But young striker Matt Rush is available again after being cup-tied for Sunday’s trip to Dover Athletic.