SOUTHEND United manager Sol Campbell is hopeful Timothee Dieng has stopped himself suffering a longer spell on the sidelines with a hamstring problem.

The Shrimpers skipper came off just 10 minutes into Saturday’s 2-1 win at Accrington Stanley.

But Campbell confirmed he was substituted to stop the injury becoming more serious.

“He had a slight tightness in his hamstring but he was saving it just in case it grew into something else,” said Campbell.

“He showed determination in wanting to carry on but you have to be cautious.

“He took the decision to come off and I think it was the right decision because we have a break before our next game now.”

Dieng has played at centre-back since Sol Campbell’s appointment in October but the Shrimpers are now short of defensive options.

Nathan Ralph (dislocated shoulder) and Harry Lennon (broken leg) have both been ruled out for the rest of the season while Joe Shaughnessy (knee) and Harry Kyprianou (Achilles) both remained sidelined.

Youngster Richard Taylor has now fallen out of favour and Campbell therefore had no defenders on the substitutes bench for Saturday’s clash at Accrington.