SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown has extended Mamady Sidibe’s trial with the Shrimpers.

The former Stoke City striker has been training with Blues for the past week and also played 30 minutes in a development game against Ipswich Town on Tuesday.

Brown has now decided to keep Sidibe at the club for a further fortnight.

And he hopes to be able to play the striker in next Tuesday’s Essex Senior Cup clash against Harlow Town at Roots Hall.

“We’ve asked Mamady to come back in and see if we can get him fit in the next couple of weeks,” said Brown.

“We have an Essex Senior Cup game next week and if we can get him involved in that then we can decide what to do from there and whether or not to give him a contract to January or beyond.

“He’s certainly showed a great attitude and appetite so far.

“He’s added something to the group and the players certainly respect him so we will see how that goes in the next week to 10 days.”