SOUTHEND United’s assistant manager Dave Penney has expressed at his delight at the club’s players currently out on loan.

The Shrimpers have sent seven of their squad to other clubs to secure first team football.

And Penney believes they are all progressing from their stints with other sides.

“I think we’ve handled the whole loan situation with our players going out far better this season and the players are getting the benefits from that,” said Penney.

“We have Lee Barnard out at Stevenage who is doing well but the rest are younger players who are really benefitting from playing competitive, first team football.

“The strikers we’ve sent out have all been scoring and when they’re coming back in to train with us there has been a noticeable improvement in their play.

“Last season I think we sent out the youngsters on loan probably a bit too late in the season.

“But doing it around this time still gives them a chance to come back and also do well for us as they try to win a new contract.

“There also aren’t many development matches around Christmas time so it makes sense sending them out at this time.

“We’re always out watching them too and it’s been encouraging to see their form.”

Striker Jason Williams has scored three goals in six games for Conference South side Chelmsford City and has now extended his loan spell at Melbourne Park for a further month.

Isaac Layne has bagged two goals in two games for Conference South outfit Hayes & Yeading while Ellis Brown has netted twice in six appearances in the Ryman Premier League with Witham Town.

Defenders Kane Farrell and Josh Banton are also on loan at Witham while centre-back Dan Matsuzaka is still with Ryman One North high-flyers Harlow Town.

Highly-rated midfielder Jack Bridge had also been in Ryman One North, scoring twice in four games for Soham Town Rangers.

But he has now returned to Roots Hall.

“Jack did really well with Soham and we want to try and send him back out to a team in a higher division,” said Penney.

“If we can’t then he will stay with us and play in the development games but we were delighted with the progress he made with Soham.”