SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown will continue to select his strongest starting line-up until it becomes impossible for the Shrimpers to make the play-offs.

Brown, who believes his side cannot secure a top six finish, currently has five on loan players in his squad along with others who seem destined to depart at the end of the season.

But Brown revealed he will continue to pick what he considers to be his most in-form players.

“If players play well, whether or not there on loan or with us permanently, they will keep the shirt at this stage,” said Brown.

“We have different types of players on loan because Jamar Loza and Tyrone aren’t wanted by their parent clubs.

“Glen Kamara and Sam McQueen are wanted by theirs so they’re here for experience while Piotr Malarczyk has an opportunity to finish the season strongly here.

“There are reasons why some of them are here and why some of them will be playing and others won’t.

“But if you’ve been good enough in your last game you’ll play and until it’s mathematically impossible for us to reach the play-offs I’ll be picking what I think my best 11 is.”

However, if Blues do find themselves unable to finish in the top six, Brown could then look to bring in some of the club’s promising youngsters.

And he hinted goalkeeper Ted Smith could well be one of the first to be selected, due to Daniel Bentley’s uncertain future at the club.

“It’s something that I have to look at,” said Brown.

“When I first arrived here three years ago I had a decision to make between Dan Bentley and Paul Smith.

“I went for Dan and the rest is history but maybe it’s coming to the stage where I need to have a look at Ted Smith now.

“But maybe it will soon also time to look at Dan Matsuzaka, Jason Williams – who scored another two goals for Chelmsford on Monday – and Harry Kyprianou.

“But I don’t want to put the kids in just for the sake of putting some in.”