SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown was forced to play a behind-closed-doors friendly to release his side’s pent up frustration.

Blues’ game at Bury was abandoned after just six minutes on Saturday due to a waterlogged pitch.

And Brown revealed that led to him having to alter his training schedule.

“It’s been difficult because the lads were raring to go for a big game and then all of a sudden there wasn’t one to play in,” said Brown.

“I guess it’s similar to a horse getting in shape to be let off the reins when it’s ready to race and we ended up having a match between ourselves to get rid of that frustration.

“I think that certainly helped our cause and now we’re making sure we prepare in the right way for Friday’s game with Mansfield.”

Blues will have Myles Weston available for the game as he is due to return from international action with Antigua today but winger David Worrall, who also missed the trip to Bury on Saturday, has yet to return to training.

Kevan Hurst, who has a hamstring problem and Luke Prosser, who was knocked unconscious during the 0-0 draw with Cambridge United 11 days ago, have resumed light training.

But Brown does not expect them to be fit enough to figure and that could well lead to Adam Barrett keeping his place in defence.

The popular centre-back was handed a rare start at Bury, only for the game to last just six minutes.

However, Brown could well keep Barrett in the side to take on the Stags.

“Adam had earned the right to play at Bury and if he comes through training ahead of the game then he could the right to play against Mansfield too,” said Brown.

“I read his interview in the Echo with real interest last week and it was good to see him being positive.

“I can understand him being frustrated at not playing but we have a very competitive squad here and nobody has a divine right to play.

“When Pross is fit again we have three left sided centre-backs to pick from with Jerome Binnom-Williams also in contention and we have selection headaches all over the pitch every weekend.”