SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown revealed the release of next season’s fixtures had given him a real spring in his step for the forthcoming campaign.

Brown looked through the list of games while sat alongside Walsall manager Dean Smith in Spain.

And it was therefore the early clash against the Saddlers which immediately caught his eye.

“I’m out here working with Dean for the LMA and was sat having breakfast with him when the fixtures came through so it was quite funny Walsall was our first home game,” said Brown.

“We actually played them at Roots Hall around that time last season in the cup but it’s always great to get the fixtures through and it does give you a spring in your step.

“I know you all play the same teams twice but it’s good to see the games so you can start planning and there are certainly some really big matches to look forward to in this league.”