Phil Brown keen to add to 'woefully short' Southend United squad

Southend manager Phil Brown has called for the club to step up their transfer activity after a spate of injuries.

A depleted Shrimpers squad was beaten 2-1 by non-League side Braintree in a pre-season friendly last Wednesday.

"That result just shows how woefully short we are in terms of numbers," Brown told BBC Essex.

"It's a case of getting the money out of the coffers to see if we can improve the squad because the bottom line is we really need five or six more bodies."

Former Hull and Preston boss Brown, 53, was appointed as Paul Sturrock's successor in March.

He has since released five players, seen veteran striker Neil Harris retire, and lost Michael Timlin after the midfielder was jailed for perverting the course of justice.

Will Atkinson and John White have both arrived at Roots Hall, while Colchester midfielder John-Joe O'Toole has continued to be linked with a move to the club.

"In our other game [against Bishop Stortford] we had seven trialists and five kids out there," Brown continued.

"Kevan Hurst, Barry Corr and Ryan Leonard are out injured and I was already bemoaning the squad size.

"We're talking to three or four lads but we need five more like John [White] and Will [Atkinson].

"They have made a real impact and are flying the flag for what I want in terms of quality and infectious energy about the place."