Barrett joined Southend from Bristol Rovers in 2004

The 27-year-old centre-half has suffered a recurrence of the abdominal injury which sidelined him for a month earlier in the season.

A scan has revealed he is likely to be out until around mid-March.

"The pain has been raging after games. I thought I could play through it but on Friday I just couldn't move. I'm gutted," he said.

"I don't want to miss matches but there doesn't seem much we can do about it."

Barrett has made 29 appearances for the Shrimpers this season and scored two goals in the 3-1 home win over Sunderland last August.