SOUTHEND United winger Carl Pettefer today spoke of his frustration at sitting out the current campaign through injury.

Having been the only ever present player for Blues last season, the winger has been a surprise figure in the treatment room in the early stages of the current campaign.

The former Portsmouth trainee suffered a heel injury during pre-season and has been sidelined with a shoulder problem which has forced him out Blues' last four matches.

But, having had a cortisone injection on the affected area during the week, the 24-year-old is now approaching full fitness again and could even figure at Rotherham United this Saturday.

"The doctor did tell me when I had the injection that I would be in a lot of pain for a while and he was right - it's killing me at the moment," said Pettefer.

"We will have to wait and see how it settles down today and tomorrow before making a decision on the game but I hope I'm OK to play."