Sturrock has no regrets over Mohsni recall against Cobblers

The French utility player returned to the club for the first time since last May, when he had expressed his desire to leave, to line up at centre-back.

Mohsni was recalled mainly because of an injury crisis at Southend but he is a player whose class is well known to Town fans after a brace from the bench in the 5-2 loss to the Shrimpers at Sixfields last season.

But his comeback lasted less than half an hour before a high challenge on winger Chris Hackett that left the player needing treatment for a lower abdomen injury and Mohsni heading for an early bath.

Although Southend fought back to level the scores at 1-1 they were eventually beaten and Sturrock stood by his decision to bring Mohsni back.

“I don’t regret bringing Bilel back in because it was the right thing to do with the players we have unavailable here at the moment,” said Sturrock.

“I don’t think we can have any complaints about the red card but I don’t think it was a malicious tackle at all.

“He just mistimed it and caught their player instead of the ball so I feel for him.

“I will talk to him about the situation on Monday, but it’s too early to say if he will ever play for us again and those questions shouldn’t be asked at this stage.”