SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown admitted to being impressed by midfielder Anthony Wordsworth on his return from injury.

Wordsworth - who had been on the sidelines for close to seven months with a hamstring problem - played an hour of Tuesday’s under-21 game at Dagenham & Redbridge.

And Brown was delighted to see Wordsworth back in action.

“It was great to see Woody playing again but it was great to see him playing like he did as well,” said the Blues boss.

“He looked really alive out there, he wanted the ball and looked really keen to get involved, which was great to see.

“He’s a big player for us with everything he brings to the table and it’s given us a real big boost to have him out there again.”

Wordsworth last lined up for the Shrimpers’ first team at Rochdale back in March.

But Brown has yet to decide whether or not to include him in the squad for Saturday’s trip to Northampton Town.

“It’s too early to make that decision at the moment,” said the 57-year-old.

“We’ll see how he goes and how he feels in and after training today and tomorrow and then make a decision from there.

“In an ideal world I guess we would build him up gradually but he might still be able to play some part in the first team.

“We will be sensible about it all though and won’t be taking any risks with him.”

Centre-back Anton Ferdinand is also back in contention after recovering from his own hamstring problem.

And Brown was also happy to see him return.

“Anton came through the game well and that’s very pleasing too,” said Brown.

“We pushed him into midfield to make it harder for him and he responded well.”