SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown labelled trialist striker Ronan Murray ‘a little gem’ after the Irishman scored in Blues’ 2-1 win at Canvey Island tonight.

Murray also bagged a brace for the Shrimpers against Great Wakering Rovers on Saturday.

And Brown admitted to being impressed by the Irishman.

“Ronan looks sharp and lively,” said the Shrimpers chief.

“At the moment he looks like a little gem.

“He knows where to run and doesn’t need teaching where that’s concerned.

“He’s a real jack in the box and we will have another look at him on Saturday because there’s definitely potential there.”

Murray, who was with Notts County last season, fired home after Luke O’Neill had given Blues the lead at Park Lane.

And Brown was pleased by his side’s second friendly of the summer.

“I thought it was a good, competitive game,” said the Blues boss.

“Changing 11 players upset our flow and the rain spoilt it too.

“I wasn’t sure the game was going to survive and it might not have done if it was a league game.

“But we got out of it what we wanted in terms of a fitness exercise.”

Brown again fielded 22 different players during the game.

However, he was forced to change things around defensively after John White and Adam Thompson both dropped out of the squad along with trialist Gavin Gunning.

“Gavin went over on his ankle in training but hopefully he will play some part on Saturday,” said Brown.

“John White’s thigh was tightening up but he should be OK for Braintree as we left him out as a precaution and we had to leave Tommo out because he has tonsillitis.”

Brown will now be keeping tabs on the defenders while also attempting to bolster his options at the other end of the pitch.

"We’re very close on one striker and even closer on another one but tomorrow is another day," he added.