Southend United defender Spencer Prior is ready to play through the pain to help the Shrimpers push for promotion.

The experienced centre-back missed the Shrimpers' controversial defeat at Yeovil Town on Saturday with a knee injury.

But despite not having fully recovered, Prior is determined to help Steve Tilson's side bounce back to winning ways.

"If I was to wait until there was no pain at all in my knee then I would be out for at least another six weeks," said the former Norwich City man.

"No one wants that and I think I've had as much treatment as I possibly can on it now.

"I've rested it up for eight or nine days and I'm going to have to go out there and get on with it."

Prior played the first 45 minutes of yesterday's 1-0 Roots Hall reserve team defeat against Luton Town.