SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown is weighing up his defensive options ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Carlisle at Roots Hall.

Brown brought in both Adam Barrett and Cian Bolger at centre-back for last Saturday’s 4-2 defeat at Stevenage.

But the Shrimpers chief is now contemplating further changes with Luke Prosser, Adam Thompson and Jerome-Binnom-Williams all pushing for recalls.

“I have to say I was alarmed by the last 15 minutes at Stevenage and that’s going to result in one or two changes being made for the Carlisle game,” said Brown.

“Luke Prosser has been training well, he’s been applying himself positively and he’s in my thinking for the weekend.”

Prosser missed just one of the opening 27 matches of the season before being sent off at Northampton Town.

Since then he has been out of the side for eight matches but could be back in action tomorrow, along with Thompson.

The former Watford man had started eight games in a row before being dropped for the Stevenage clash.

But the 22-year-old is now pushing an immediate recall.

“Tommo may not be pleasing on the eye and he might not be everyone’s cup of tea but he certainly wears his heart on his sleeve and he really applies himself,” said Brown.

“He puts his head in and that’s a great attribute to have so I’m thinking about him as well.

“Adding to that we have Jerome to think about too because he filled in well there and we got a few clean sheets with him at centre-back so I certainly have enough options.”

But whoever gets the nod will need to defend far better than against Stevenage.

And Brown is keen to see the right kind of reaction from his side, who are now fifth in the League Two table.

“It’s been a difficult week following the Stevenage game with a lot of soul searching and we need to get back to winning ways,” said the 55-year-old.

“If you take a snap shot view we’ve got no points from two games but if you look at a set of games we’ve taken 13 points from seven which is good.

“However, we’ve got to arrest the situation and last week that was an uncharacteristic collapse. “

Blues cannot afford a repeat against Carlisle and Brown is certain the Cumbrians will be tricky opponents despite them sitting 21st in the table.

“Carlisle will be a good test,” said Brown.

“They’ve lost their last three games but they were against Luton, Wycombe and Shrewsbury who are all good teams.

“They ran Shrewsbury very close and were winning up until the 89th minute so it’s not going to be an easy game just because of their league position.”