FREDDY Eastwood and Mark Phillips are both expected to return to training for Southend United today.

The experienced duo had to be substituted after picking up injuries during Friday night’s 1-1 draw with Bristol Rovers.

But Blues boss Phil Brown has confirmed the setbacks they suffered are not too serious.

And they should both be available for Saturday’s game at Oxford United, if they come through training unscathed.

“We’re expected Mark and Freddy to both be training today and that’s obviously very good news,” said Brown.

“They’re experienced and important players for us, so hopefully they will come through training OK and not suffer any reaction so they’re available to play at the weekend.”

Phillips was the first to be forced off against Bristol Rovers as he injured his groin after just 23 minutes, while Eastwood followed him off with a hamstring problem just nine minutes into the second half.

But Eastwood was keen to try and play through the pain.

“Freddy’s hamstring went into spasm after he went to try and close their goalkeeper down in the first half,” revealed Brown.

“I said to him about coming off at half-time but he wanted to get back out there and try and play it through.

“It was soon clear he was in discomfort and he could’ve ended up making the injury worse so we had to bring him off.

“Credit to him for wanting to battle on and that’s the kind of attitude I want from my players and that’s what I was referring to when I said about playing until they could no longer walk.”

Brown is also keen to strengthen his squad before Saturday’s clash at the Kassam Stadium.

The Shrimpers chief admitted he would still love to sign trialist midfielder Gomis Bedsente if the club did not remain under a transfer embargo.

However, he still has just one spot left to fill in his squad due to the restrictions of the embargo.

Brown feels that signing needs to be a defender and has made progress in his pursuit of reinforcements.

“One or two doors have opened for us this week with regards to us bringing in a defender,” said Brown.

“Hopefully we’ll be able to get somebody in before the game at the weekend.”