SOUTHEND are facing a striker crisis ahead of Sunday's visit to a sold-out St Mary's.

The Shrimpers' hopes of scoring the goals that could end Saints' play-off dream have been savaged by a triple injury blow.

The Essex club's leading THREE goalscorers are all extremely doubtful for the final game of the regular Championship season.

Freddy Eastwood, the man whose goal helped inflict a shock 2-1 loss on Saints at Roots Hall back in December, could miss out with a back injury. He is Southend's top scorer with 16 goals this season, including 11 in the league.

Left-winger Mark Gower, who has netted 10 times, might be sidelined with a back complaint too.

And midfielder Kevin Maher, the club's six-goal skipper, is a doubt after picking up foot and knee injuries during the 3-1 home loss to rock bottom Luton last weekend that confirmed his side's relegation.

And that means Southend's main goal hope is Isle of Wight-born ex-Pompey striker Lee Bradbury, who has scored just FIVE times this season.

For full story see today's Daily Echo.