SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown has been boosted by Nile Ranger’s fitness levels.

The 26-year-old striker is now back with the Shrimpers following three months in prison for online fraud.

And Brown has been impressed by Ranger’s condition.

“Nile is not in bad order and I have to say it’s a massive positive for us,” said the Blues boss.

“There’s certainly some semblance of fitness there but it’s like putting a broken jigsaw back together.

“He’s had no alcohol for three months, which is good, and he must have been doing some kind of fitness work because he’s not in bad shape.

“I’ve not experienced anything like this before and we have to make sure we don’t break him but he’ll be doing ball work by the end of the week.”