SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown fears his small squad are already starting to show signs of strain.

Brown currently has a first team squad of just 16 players.

And the Blues boss believes the pre-season schedule, which continues with a home clash with Charlton Athletic tonight, is already putting the players under added pressure.

“This is a game for just the first team as the under 21s are playing at Chelmsford tomorrow night and it means we only have 16 players to pick from,” said Brown.

“We will only be able to select five substitutes and I do think there’s already a stress and strain on the players.

“We don’t want to over exert them at this stage of the season and it’s important we don’t do that but we need to bring more players in.

“Every day I wake up hoping we will get a deal done but it’s proving to be quite difficult and maybe it will be like last season when we signed three players on the same day.”

Brown will continue to try and add to his squad and still remains interested in Nottingham Forest winger Stephen McLaughlin who ended last season on loan with the Shrimpers.

“We’re on the front foot where Stephen is concerned and we’re definitely still keen on signing him,” said Brown.

“Dougie Freedman has also been very interested in our goalkeeper (Daniel Bentley) so there has been plenty to talk about.”

Brown, who is also still trying to sign striking duo Noel Hunt and Joe Pigott, hopes to have Bentley available for selection again this evening after he missed Saturday’s clash at Dagenham & Redbridge following a family bereavement.

But both Adam Barrett and Michael Timlin will definitely be in action, despite them suffering nasty head wounds against Dagenham.

“Adam ended up having to have 18 stitches after the game, some of which were internal and he didn’t leave hospital until about 9.30pm on Saturday night,” confirmed Brown.

“Michael’s also suffered a nasty cut which was so close to his eye it would have been too dangerous to stitch.

“He ended up having to have it glued but it doesn’t look good so it’s something we will continue to monitor.

“But both Tims and Adam will be in the squad for tonight’s game.”

However, former Gillingham winger Danny Galbraith will not feature for Blues.

Galbraith had been on trial with the Shrimpers but he has now been informed he will not be offered a contract with the club.