Friend: 'I'm enjoying it here'
As George Friend steps out on to the Roots Hall pitch on his 22nd birthday Saturday afternoon, he'll know he's not playing his last game for the Shrimpers after Wolves agreed an extension to his loan Friday afternoon that allows the left back to stay at Roots Hall for a further month.
Blues boss Steve Tilson will be pleased having made it clear he wanted the defender to stay after only 5 appearances for the Shrimpers and the player himself agreed before hearing the good news.
Friend told the Echo: "I hope that this won't be my last game for Southend. I'm enjoying it here and I think the clubs are trying to sort something out so that I can stay for longer which would be good."
He accepted that the back four have to improve if three points are going to be secured against the Pirates.
George continued: "It's been a bit up and down results wise but it would be great to win tomorrow, especially as it's my birthday. Bristol Rovers have been doing well though and we have been a bit unlucky but we also need to defend better than we have been doing."
Meanwhile, three starts and one goal Roy O'Donovan, the striker on loan from Sunderland, has not had any such feedback from the club and I would be surprised if we see him past Saturday.
Though with top scorer Lee Barnard always a tackle away from an injury Roy is useful to have on the bench, but it may be felt his wages could be better spent elsewhere.
Certainly he has been no better than Alex Revell, the hard working centre forward we sent on loan to Swindon.