Southend United have signed Stoke City youngster Matthew Lund on-loan for a month.
Lund, a midfielder who can also play in defence, will be available for Saturday's League Two fixture against promotion rivals Northampton at Roots Hall.
Manager Paul Sturrock said: "Matthew has played a number of games at this level already this season so he knows exactly what to expect.
"We saw him play against us earlier in the season when we won 3-2 at Bristol Rovers and we knew then he was a good player.
"We are delighted to have been able to bring him in to help us with all the injuries we have been suffering from of late."