Southend United defender Rob Newman and goalkeeper Martyn Margetson face the prospect of going under the surgeon's knife to clear up their injury problems.

Newman, who is Blues' top scorer with eight goals, has missed the Seasiders' last seven Third Division matches with a groin complaint and Margetson is struggling with a ruptured tendon in his little finger.

"All week I've been training really hard, but I'm still feeling sore at the end of the sessions," said 35-year-old stopper Newman.

"I've been to the hospital to have an MRI scan and hopefully when I get the test results back it will identify what the problem is so I can get it sorted out.

"It might be the case that I've got trouble with my hernia and if it is then I will want to get it operated on as soon as possible so I'm fit and ready for next season.

"But I won't be looking forward to a hospital visit as I've never had an operation during the whole of my 17 years as a professional footballer, despite breaking my leg twice and my arm."

However, Southend custodian Margetson cannot wait to book his appointment on the operating table.

"I've been waiting for us to secure Third Division safety so I can go into hospital and get my finger mended," said the 27-year-old shot stopper.

"I couldn't have had an operation during the last few weeks just in case something had happened to our first team keeper Mel Capleton, because I would have had to have played.

"But now we're looking safe I need to get my finger fixed as soon as possible because I had a similar problem when I was at Manchester City and it sidelined me for six months.

"Once I've had the operation I will have to rest my finger for eight weeks while it heals, so it's important to get it sorted out quickly so I'm ready for the start of pre-season training."

Meanwhile, Blues boss Alan Little confirmed that he was in discussions with West Ham in regard to extending the loans of midfielder Lee Hodges and defender Chris Coyne at Roots Hall.

The Hammers stars' loan-spells officially ran out as Southend slid to a fourth consecutive Roots Hall defeat against Brentford, 4-1, at the weekend.

"I'd like to keep both players here for our last two games and I will hopefully have some positive news soon," Little said.

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