While central midfield duo Lee Sawyer and Jean-Francois Christophe are playing so well, and we have the Frenchman until early November now, even if resident rotweiller Alan McCormack reports 100% fit for duty, he will not walk straight into the starting eleven.
Blues boss Steve Tilson told www.southendunited.co.uk: "We've won the last four games so it would be unfair to leave anyone out at the moment. Macca is getting nearer all the time though and it's great to have him back with us. He's an influential player and we've certainly missed him. We know what he's about and that he's more than good enough but it's just about getting him fully fit again now."
So it looks as if Macca is going to warm the bench for a few games more, he already has a couple of subs appearances to his name, and then Tilly will have to decide whether to ask Pompey for another month for Christophe or allow Macca back into the action full time.
With the Mousse and Grant in reserve and as long as Macca is fully fit TLG would predict a return for the Frenchman.
As ever time will tell, but great to see the Dubliner back and fighting for his place and for Tilly to have such a choice in an area of the pitch that we were certainly struggling in earlier this season.