Arsenal-Owned Midfielder Olayinka Unlikely To Play For Southend United Again Before Loan Deal Expires

James Olayinka is unlikely to play for League Two club Southend United again before the expiration of his loan spell.

The Arsenal-owned midfielder was forced off in the 34th minute of Southend United's goalless draw at Grimsby Town last weekend after suffering an ankle ligament damage and was not in the squad vs Cambridge United on Tuesday.

Olayinka will sit out this weekend's meeting with Mansfield Town and is a huge doubt to face Bradford City on January 26, a day before his loan deal with the Shrimpers runs out.

Providing a fitness update on Olayinka, manager Mark Molesley told the club's official website : "We’re still waiting on the definitive from the scan, but he has got ankle ligament damage in there.

"We’re just waiting on the severity on that now and we should have some news on that by the end of play today.

"It’s not a short-term one but clearly we have to wait for the swelling to settle down and a few other bits just to determine how long he’ll be out."

Olayinka spent the second half of last season on loan at Northampton Town and helped them seal promotion to the third-tier via the playoffs.

The 20-year-old has recorded 16 appearances for Southend United, scoring three goals.

Igho Kingsley