Southend United head to Spain to continue pre-season training

The Shrimpers will be spending the next six days working hard in Oliva.

And Blues boss Chris Powell feels the trip will be hugely beneficial both on and off the pitch.

“We’ve gone to a place we’ve checked out and we know it’s going to be good,” said Powell.

“I believe Bath Rugby Club are going to be there at the same time as us but we won’t be playing them!

“It will be six days of good work.”

The Shrimpers will also be playing their second pre-season game of the summer while abroad as they take on Aberdeen’s Development this Wednesday.

“We will have a game out there too and some of the players might get an hour,” said Powell.

“We might actually play two 60s, I’m not sure yet.

“But I’m looking forward to it and it will definitely build the camaraderie.

“We have to build that with the new players and personalities and we will learn more about them while we are out there.”

The Shrimpers boss has named a 24 man squad for the trip to Spain with midfielder Luke Hyam making the journey despite not being involved against Great Wakering Rovers on Saturday.

Trialist right-back Ben Mundele will also be on the flight but defender Anton Ferdinand will be staying at home.

The centre-back, who was made available for transfer by Blues at the end of last season, was not in the squad at Great Wakering Rovers on Saturday.

And Powell has held talks with the experienced defender.

“I spoke to Anton at length at the end of the season,” said the Blues boss.

“He’s come back and he’s been training with us but I said to I was bringing in one defender which we did with Harry Lennon and Timothee Dieng can actually play there too in an emergency.

“I just said to him he might find game time tough this year but at his age he wants to be playing all the time and I get that.

“But we’ve discussed it and he’s fine.

“We’ve spoken about a few things and we will see where it is when we get back from Spain.

“But he’s not coming out there at this moment in time.”