SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown believes signing controversial striker Nile Ranger is a risk worth taking for the Shrimpers.

The 25-year-old, who trained with Blues yesterday, is to sign an initial month long deal at Roots Hall.

And Brown is keen to help the former Newcastle United man get his career back on track after a number of well documented problems off the pitch.

“Nile is 25 now and I think you get to a stage in your life when the penny drops,” explained the Southend boss.

“There’s a player in there and I certainly have no doubts about his ability.

“He’s had a chequered past and it’s been well documented what’s happened but we want him to concentrate on his football now.

“With that in mind I’m actually trying to convince him to come off social media but it’s a difficult thing to do and I’m not going to do force him to do anything he doesn’t want to.

“But he’s here until the end of July and I’ve spoken to him a few times now.

“There’s a genuine lad in there and I hope it’s a genuine lad who goes out and crosses that white line.”

Ranger has not taken to the field since he last lined up for Blackpool in November 2014.

However, Brown is convinced the striker has what it takes to score goals for the Shrimpers.

And he hopes to eventually be able to sign him on a longer deal.

“Nile’s played in the higher divisions for most of his career and if he focuses on his football then we have a player on our hands who can get goals,” said Brown.

“If he keeps his nose clean then he will come to Spain with us in a couple of weeks and living on top of each other 24/7 like that will allow us to learn a lot more about him.

“Everything is in place and we’ve also made sure he can’t use us to get fit then go and sign for somebody else at the end of the month.

“We have him here until the end of July and hopefully after that he will have done what we’ve asked for him to be given a year or two year deal.”

Ranger has previously played for Newcastle, Barnsley, Sheffield Wednesday, Swindon and Blackpool as well as England under 19s.

But the striker has been plagued by off field incidents in the past few seasons and was convicted of common assault back in 2013.

Ranger was also fined for criminal damage last year and went AWOL from Blackpool - his last club - for eight months.

However, despite the past problems, Blues fans welcomed his arrival with 61 per cent of fans saying it was a good signing in an Echosport poll which attracted nearly 750 votes.

Ranger could now line up against Great Wakering Rovers this weekend in Blues’ first pre-season friendly of the summer.

The Shrimpers are also expected to announce two home friendlies in the next 48 hours.