Blues midfielder Jamie Fullarton faces another lengthy spell on the sidelines after breaking his collarbone in yesterday's 2-1 reserve team defeat at Northampton Town.

Jamie Fullarton - facing new spell on the sidelines with a broken collarbone

The 29-year-old Scotsman, who recently recovered from a long-term groin problem, could be out of action for eight weeks after sustaining the serious injury in the 13th minute at the Cobblers' Sixfields Stadium.

"Jamie is going to be out for two months," confirmed assistant manager Paul Brush.

"It was a very wet pitch and probably the least likely of surfaces you would expect someone to get that kind of injury in, but he's broken his collarbone and it's a real blow.

"It leaves our squad looking very thin -- especially with us playing seven games in the next three weeks.

"We're hoping now that one or two of our other injured players can get off the treatment table or that we can bring in a couple of new faces as quickly as possible."

Fullarton's injury marred a spirited display from a young Southend side which conceded the opening goal of the game after just 90 seconds, when goalkeeper Carl Emberson was adjudged to have fouled Martin Reeves inside the penalty area.

Marc Richards confidently converted the resulting spot-kick before the Cobblers had keeper Glynn Thompson harshly dismissed for handling the ball outside of his penalty area mid-way through the second half.

The Blues soon drew back level as substitute keeper Mark Bunn comically fumbled the ball into his own net, before Richards volleyed home Greg Ngoyi's cross to seal victory for the Cobblers.

Published Wednesday January 7, 2004

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