SOUTHEND United’s loan swoop for a Championship defender is hanging in the balance.

Shrimpers boss Phil Brown had been confident of completing the signing before Saturday’s League One opener at Fleetwood Town.

But an injury scare at the defender’s club could now have put the move on hold.

“The loan move we had lined up is in the balance now really due to an injury at his club,” said Brown.

“The injury was sustained during a game at the weekend and if it’s enough to rule him out for a while then the player we’re after will be called upon.

“If the injury isn’t anything too bad then the player will be free to come and join us.

“We will give it until Thursday but fingers crossed it can still happen because we’re really short at the back and we’re down to just five defenders again now.”

Blues looked at centre-back Yago Fernandez on trial during pre-season but decided against offering him a contract.

However, Brown – who is also still interested in Burnley’s Luke O’Neill – has now turned his attention elsewhere and is keen to bolster his options at the back.

“We had a couple of centre-backs in on trial during pre-season but they’ve gone now and we’re short of options back there so it’s a situation which needs to be sorted,” said Brown.

“The lad we’re looking at can play at full-back and centre-back and John White is also able to play in any of the defensive positions which could also come in handy.”

White joins Adam Barrett, Cian Bolger, Luke Prosser and Ben Coker as Blues’ only senior defenders in the Shrimpers squad.

And Brown revealed contract talks had now stalled with the injured Adam Thompson, whose deal with Blues has now expired.

“Adam has another two months of rehabilitation from his dislocated shoulder and we will take care of him but contract talks have stalled a bit with him,” said the 56-year-old.

“When the chairman gets back the talks will continue. “