Southend United vs Blackburn Rovers. Sky Bet League One.
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Thursday 3 August 2017 18:51, UK
Defender Ben Coker will be absent from Southend's Sky Bet League One opener against Blackburn with a broken leg.
Coker suffered the injury in a pre-season friendly against Colchester Under-21s on Monday and is expected to be ruled out for six months.
Anthony Wordsworth and Michael Turner (both hamstring) are also unavailable.
Winger Michael Kightly, who has re-signed for the Shrimpers after being released by Burnley, and new signing Stephen Hendrie are both set to start.
Blackburn begin life in League One with Tony Mowbray sweating on the fitness of a couple of unnamed players.
The former Middlesbrough and Celtic manager revealed "one or two" members of his squad are carrying knocks are could miss out as a result.
The likes of Dominic Samuel, Richie Smallwood, Bradley Dack and Ben Gladwin have all arrived at Ewood Park this summer, while David Raya will be expected to start in goal following Jason Steele's departure.
Corry Evans could make his first start of 2017 having returned this pre-season from a troublesome groin problem.
