ANTHONY Wordsworth played an hour for Southend United’s under-23 side on his return from injury at Millwall yesterday.

Wordsworth - who had been out of action since early January with a calf problem - started against the Lions at the New Den.

And, despite the game being called off after 65 minutes because of the snow, Shrimpers coach Kevin Maher felt it had been a worthwhile exercise.

“It was a good game and one everyone involved would have taken a lot from,” said Maher.

“It was good for the youngsters to play at a ground like that and to also line-up alongside the seniors, who got the minutes they needed too.”

Josh Wright and Jermaine McGlashan also lined up for the Shrimpers.

But it was Millwall who were leading 1-0 when the game was correctly called off according to Maher.

“The conditions weren’t too bad to begin with, but when the snow started to come down like it did there was no way we could have carried on,” said the former Shrimpers captain.

“It was definitely the right decision, but it was still a worthwhile exercise.”

Wordsworth - who scored three goals in 19 games before suffering the injury - will now be hoping to force his way back into the first team squad at Roots Hall.

However, the 29-year-old faces stern competition for a place in the starting line-up as both Dru Yearwood and Michael Timlin have impressed in the centre of the park since Chris Powell’s appointment as manager last month.

But Powell now has increased competition for places with Wright and Mantom also vying for selection in midfield for Saturday’s clash with Walsall at Roots Hall.

Yesterday’s game also saw young centre-back Dan Matsuzaka continue his comeback from injury.

The centre-back, who has represented Japan at junior level, was initially sidelined by a knee problem and then sustained a thigh problem on his way back to full fitness, which kept him out for three-and-a-half months.

However, Matsuzaka came on as a second half substitute in last week’s behind closed doors friendly with MK Dons at Roots Hall.

And the youngster built on that by starting alongside Harry Kyprianou at the heart of the back four against a strong Lions side yesterday.

Southend United: Bishop, Bwomono, Matsuzaka, Kyprianou, Cotton, McGlashan, Wright, Wordsworth, Cotton, Wabo, Ba