91Èȱ¬

Southend chairman Ron Martin has said he can no longer tolerate indiscipline from Bilel Mohsni, after the defender walked away from Saturday's game at Morecambe and caught a train home.

The 24-year-old Tunisian requested he be substituted in the 1-0 defeat.

Mohsni also left the stadium and got on a train after an FA Cup reverse at Oldham in December.

"He came home on the train on Saturday as he did after the Oldham match," Martin told 91Èȱ¬ Essex.

"And we can't let this stand in the way of success."

Mohsni has proved himself to be an influential player for the Shrimpers since joining at the beginning of last season, having shown an ability to operate in numerous positions and score goals at crucial times.

But questions have been raised over his discipline, on and off the pitch.

Boss Paul Sturrock was furious with the centre-half after he was sent off during the 1-0 loss at Oldham last year.

And he was disciplined by the club in August for his part in a reported "fracas".

Martin believes Mohsni's behaviour could have influenced his side's fall from the top of League Two to fourth place.

"On occasions he lets himself and the team down," he said.

"I can't tell you what's going to happen to him at the moment but we can't have the indiscipline within the side as it affects the other players and it may be a contributing factor to the inconsistency.

"We talked to him on Sunday and we've been speaking to his agent."

Sturrock, who brought Mohsni to Roots Hall from the French lower leagues, added: "I'll be making an announcement maybe in the next couple of days.

"It's something under discussion at the moment between myself, the chairman and the board."