Southend United's on loan defender Jean Yves M'Voto may need surgery on a hip injury which would rule him out of action until the new year.
The Frenchman, who is on loan at Roots Hall from Premier League Sunderland, could go under the knife to remove loose bone in his hip.
M'Voto picked up the injury during Southend's 3-2 win against Brighton back in September.
His loan spell with the Shrimpers runs until the start of January.
Southend's injury worries have been eased with the news that Dougie Freedman and Damien Scannell have returned to training.
The pair should be available for their FA Cup first round clash with Gillingham at the weekend.
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