Sturrock registered 17 players one day before the season started

Southend United manager Paul Sturrock is hopeful centre-half Bilel Mohsni will be registered in time for Saturday's clash with Aldershot.

The 22-year-old's paperwork is set to arrive from the French Football Federation on Thursday.

But Sturrock has less optimism over midfielder Adam Bouzid, who is waiting for clearance to arrive from Morocco.

Sturrock told BBC Essex: "I don't know what's happened with the Moroccans but Bouzid's father talking to them."

And the Shrimpers boss shed light over what he believes has held up Mohsni's move.

"The French FA have been inundated and I think that's been the problem there," he said. "We're led to believe that Thursday is the day we get sent the stuff."

We've got to decide whether some of our young players will benefit from loan spells and also decide if there's an area of the team we need to strengthen Southend United boss Paul Sturrock

The pair were the only players the club were unable to register before the new season as they had yet to receive international clearance.

"It's important for them because their season's at a stand-still," Sturrock continued.

"They've got an awful lot of learning of the British game to do so the quicker they can get in the better."

The Shrimpers boss has also not ruled out adding more names to his squad, but will not be rushing back into the transfer market.

He said: "We'll take the full length of August and make a decision on how we're doing at the time.

"We've got to decide whether some of our young players will benefit from loan spells and also decide if there's an area of the team we need to strengthen."

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