Tilson will need to reorganise his forward line for the clash with Telford

Southend boss Steve Tilson has said Francis Laurent's suspension will give his other strikers a chance to shine.

Laurent was sent off against Tranmere on Saturday, joining the injured Dougie Freedman and Lee Barnard as absentees for their FA Cup replay with Telford.

Tilson told BBC Essex: "When you get an opportunity you've got to take it.

"Francis has given someone else an opportunity to come in and do well, so whoever gets that opportunity will have to take it."

Both sides ended the game with ten men, after Laurent's dismissal for an off-the-ball incident and Tranmere's Steven Jennings collected two yellow cards.

But, following the 2-2 draw, Tilson had few complaints over his French striker's red card,

"If you put pressure towards an opponent's head you're going to get sent off, so according to the letter of the law he's got to go," admitted the Blues boss.

"Jennings' red card was two bookable offences so they were quite easy and there could have been a few mor, but for me he [the referee] got the two decisions right."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version