Ross Jenkins has given an injury update ahead of Saturday’s Vanarama National League clash with Southend United.

The City gaffer has confirmed that some players won’t be able to return in time for the weekend, but has revealed that some members of the squad are close to a return.

He also revealed that loanee Harry Birtwistle has returned to parent-club Wolves to receive treatment on an injury sustained in the defeat to Dagenham.

The Hoops were without 11 (yes, eleven) first team players on Saturday, but Jenkins says those who have been consigned to the sidelines have played their part in supporting the team off the pitch. 

INJURY UPDATE

“Harry (Birtwistle) picking up an injury on Saturday isn’t great and now he’s back at Wolves and getting treatment. They’ll treat him until he can return.” Jenkins said.

“Nya (Kirby) had a sore knee and that kept him out of training, Andre (Burley) had a swollen foot, so that stopped them from starting against Dagenham.

“Levi (Lumeka) got onto the bench after some injury issues himself, so he wasn’t really fully-fit to come on or start. Josh Parker had some fatigue so wasn’t involved in general.

“Canice Carroll has a groin strain and Zac McEachran has a problem with his ankle.

“Tafari Moore had a little setback, but we’ve had more clarity on his injury which is nice.

“It is what it is. It’s never nice and it’s never a reason to refer back to the injury situation when we lose.

“We have to stay positive. Those injured boys are around the squad still and they’re positive in their manner and what they say and do.

“They lead by example and support the boys who are on the pitch and that’s the minimum requirement.

“If we can get them back sooner, then that will be brilliant. But if we can’t, we have to deal with that and move on.

“It’s important that whoever does play or whoever doesn’t play, is that we support each other. That’s what we’ve got here; we’ve got a bunch of boys that support each other.”

ON SOUTHEND UNITED

Southend are the visitors to the RAW Charging Stadium on Saturday and the Shrimpers will be backed by a large contingent of travelling supporters.

However, Jenkins believes that his team need to be ready for the high-octane atmosphere in a clash that he’s relishing.

“The National League is like League Three. You look at some of the clubs in the division, some of the budgets, some of the managers, facilities, infrastructures, training programmes and the wages to go with it, you have to really appreciate the level.

“Last time, their (Southend) fans we’re extremely loud and I expect nothing different from them this time round. I thought their fans were brilliant.

“I think they’ve sold out their allocation, so there’ll be an atmosphere. But it’s an atmosphere that we need to be ready for. 

“I think the game has a little extra riding on it for Southend. They were in a really good position when we last played them, but their recent run of form hasn’t been so great.

“They should be higher in the league and they have some really good players, so it’s a tough one. 

“They’ve had some really good news with the takeover and their transfer embargo being lifted and now they’re trying to move up the league.

“Their priority will be to get our result. Our priority will be to field the fittest team possible and try and play our brand of football.

“In the meantime though, we are at home and we’ll give it a good go, and that is the minimum requirement and to try and put some of the things right from Saturday’s game against Dagenham.

“Whenever any team comes to us we’ll try and give them a good game. I’m looking forward to it.”

THIS YEAR'S NATIONAL LEAGUE

It may look bleak at the bottom, but City shouldn’t lose sight of how far they’ve come in the last year.

Already, the Hoops have a better points total than one of last season’s relegated teams (Maidstone) with thirteen games to play. Although, Jenkins admits that statistic shows how difficult this year’s division is proving to be.

“Looking at the league table from last year, we’re currently on better points totals than some of the teams already, but that shows that the division is harder this time around.

“You have to get more points in the league this season to stay up or get promoted.

“It’s really competitive. It’s been an eye-opener to see where we are as a club. We’re learning all the time from behind the scenes and on the pitch.

“So, if anything, we’ve had some really good lessons but we want to try and compete as best as possible to stay in the league.

“We’ve got a lot of work to do and we’re still part-time, but it can be difficult to match those full-time sides. But we’ve got a good changing room to keep playing through these games and getting results.

“Positivity is a must and we keep going!”