SOUTHEND United’s players have flown out to Portugal in a bid to revitalise their promotion challenge.

The Shrimpers were beaten 2-1 at Mansfield Town on Saturday and have now gone three League Two games without a win.

But the Echo can reveal that the squad has now flown out to sunnier surroundings for quality training sessions ahead of Saturday’s home clash against Exeter City.

Southend, who are now seventh in the table, had been struggling to find places to train due to the recent wet weather.

They are expected to return to Essex on Wednesday.

MORE TO FOLLOW