By Marc Higginson
STUART Pearce has been dealt a major blow after it was confirmed that last season’s player of the year Richard Dunne will be out of action for three months.
The Irish defender damaged his foot when kicking a door in frustration after the infamous Joey Barton flare-up on the club’s pre-season tour of Ireland.
Pearce may now move into the transfer market for another centre-half with Nedum Onouha also out for the first month of the campaign.
The injury could see a recall to the first-team for out-of-favour duo Mikkel Bischoff or David Sommeil.
Meanwhile. City legend Shaun Goater has been snapped up by Southend United on a twelve-month deal after he was released by Reading last week.
Goater has bagged 249 goals in a career spanning 521 matches.