Forgotten man Ben Smith to return to training

Ben Smith

Ben Smith who has had a torrid time with injuries since joining the Shrimpers from Yeovil town in the summer is set to resume training on Monday after recovering from serious knee and ankle injuries. Full back Mark Beard has resumed light training after his emergency appendix operation over Christmas, Beard expects to be pushing for a first team place in a couple of weeks.

Great Wakering Rovers 18 year old

Dan Trenkel

midfielder Dan Trenkel is hoping to play in the Blues reserves fixture against Colchester United at Roots Hall on Monday 28^th January. Trenkel, who The Little Gazette exclusively revealed was to be given his chance with Southend United despite manager Rob Newman’s denial, was due to play for the reserves at Peterborough United on Monday but Great Wakering Rovers requested that he miss the match as they have an important FA Vase clash this Saturday at Bemerton Heath Harlequins in Wiltshire. Dan Trenkel who is under contract with the Wakering side, enjoyed a successful weeks training with the Blues that included an Avon Insurance Combination League appearance at Cheltenham Town.

Gareth Risbridger - Centre half in the making?

Another forgotten man at Roots Hall is Ben Smith’s ex Yeovil Town colleague Gareth Risbridger, 20 year old Risbridger played at centre half last week in the Avon Insurance Combination game at Cheltenham Town and put in a professional performance, on Monday up at Peterborough United Gareth was asked to play on the right wing a position alien to him while Thirty eight year old Player/manager Rob Newman played centre half. Gareth should be given an extended run at centre half as his tough tackling style and vision of play would suit this role.

Meanwhile the sports letter pages of the Southend Evening Echo continue to be full of comments regarding the dreadful inept display of the Blues in front of 8,164 fans against Tranmere in the FA Cup third round tie on the 8^th January. Fans still cannot believe that Player/manager Rob Newman started the tie with a five man defence and played the first half in such a negative fashion. Saturday’s attendance of 3,300 for the Nationwide Third division clash with Mansfield showed how displeased the fans were as thousands stayed away.

Steve Connolly