SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown hopes neither Kwesi Appiah or Jordan Chiedozie will come back to haunt him at Cambridge United on Boxing Day.

The striking duo were both tracked by the Shrimpers during the summer.

But they are both now with the U’s and Brown hopes that will not prove costly on Friday.

“We were really keen to sign Kwesi in particular and did everything we could to get him to join us,” said the Shrimpers chief.

“In the end he had the choice of three clubs and he chose to go to Cambridge because he had been there before and knew the set up.

“It was disappointing from our point of view and he’s having a half decent season for them.

“But hopefully he won’t have one of his best games on Boxing Day and neither will Jordan if he plays.”

Appiah, who impressed against Blues when on loan at AFC Wimbledon last season, has bagged eight goals in 22 appearances for the U’s this season.

However, Chiedozie has struggled with injuries since signing from Concord Rangers last month.

The youngster has made just two appearances since making the step up in to League Two.

And Brown always felt the striker could initially struggle with his fitness.

“I went to watch Jordan in Concord’s FA Cup game against Mansfield and he seemed to be struggling with his fitness in that game,” said the Shrimpers chief.

“It’s a big step up in to League Two and some non league players struggle with the demands of that when they first join.

“All non league players would like to think they could cope with the difference but they can’t.

“We had Jordan on trial with us in the summer as well but at that time he wasn’t for us.

“We kept tabs on him at Concord and there’s no denying he has talent but we decided not to follow up our initial interest in him.

“He’s picked up a couple of injuries already while with Cambridge and I understand he’s a doubt for our game against them too.”