SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown will step up his search for a replacement right-back this week.

The Blues boss put Ryan Leonard in to defence for Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Plymouth Argyle.

But Brown felt Leonard was missed in the midfield.

And he is therefore keen to bolster his options ahead of the clash with Chesterfield at Roots Hall this weekend.

“I thought Ryan did a sterling job at right back and nullified the threat of the two wingers he faced but we missed his attacking threat,” said Brown.

“I thought he was our best available option in the absence of the injured John White and I made that decision in training on Friday.

“But Ryan brings a lot to the team in the midfield so I will definitely try and bring someone in on loan before we play against Chesterfield.”

White is expected to be out for at least another fortnight with the dislocated shoulder he suffered in the FA Cup win against Millwall.

And it was also Leonard who skippered the side in the absence of the former Colchester United full back.

“Ryan has been very consistent and I thought he deserved the opportunity to lead the side,” said Brown.

“He was also up against his former team as well which I always think gives players extra motivation.

“I was a bit worried it might make him too fired up but Lenny’s a great lad who is also very level headed so I knew it wouldn’t be a problem.”

However, Brown knew the Shrimpers would be in for a tough test against the Pilgrims.

And he was therefore pleased to have picked up what he felt was a well deserved share of the spoils.

“I thought it was a fair result up against what is a very in form team,” said Brown.

“The two teams seemed to cancel each other out but I’m happy to have got a point, especially after Plymouth hit the post right at the end.

“We would obviously have preferred all three points but we aren’t always going to reach the standards we did against Millwall.

“If that was the case then I wouldn’t even need to turn up to games but we dug in well to make sure we didn’t lose.”