Southend United's striker crisis scaled even greater heights today when it was revealed that big frontman Neil Campbell was losing his race against time to be fit for the start of the season.

Blues boss Alan Little has already lost Irish forward Trevor Fitzpatrick and fellow front runner David Whyte to the treatment table with knee injuries and this latest bombshell has come as a massive blow.

With the Seasiders' new Third Division campaign only nine days away, Little is now left with just two recognised hitmen - Neville Roach and Neil Tolson - plus youngster Yemi Abiodun, to spearhead his attack.

"Neil is at least a month away from being fully fit," admitted Little, who let two other marksmen - Alex Burns and Barry Conlon -- leave the Shrimpers over the summer.

"He is still fighting his way back from a double hernia operation and is a long way behind the rest of the lads in his preparation for the new season.

"It's looking highly unlikely that he will figure in my starting line-up for the big kick-off on August 7 against Plymouth Argyle at Roots Hall."

Campbell has been frustrated further this week in his efforts to get fit after being hit by another injury setback in training.

"Neil's badly bruised the bone on the top of his foot, but at least it's not as serious as we First feared," revealed Little.

However, Little said Campbell, who has been plagued by injury problems ever since his £15,000 arrival at Southend from Scarborough last term, could feature as a substitute in Blues' opening games.

"I've got no problem using Neil as a substitute - He played the first-half of our match against Colchester in the Roots Hall tournament last weekend, which to be honest I thought was a miracle, because I believed Neil would only last about 20 minutes.

"However, we won't rush him back because we need to get Neil physically right before he is ready to feature in our starting line-up again."

Little added that fellow crocks - defender Martyn Booty and midfielder Simon Livett - should be vying for a place in Saturday's final Roots Hall warm-up match against First Division Crystal Palace.

Booty has been nursing a head wound, which required eight stitches, and Livett has damaged his Achilles heel, injuries both sustained in Blues' tournament friendly.

Injured - Neil Campbell is the latest worry for Blues' boss Alan Little as the striker battles with a badly bruised foot

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