A FOOTBALLER who was jailed before he had the chance to make his Southend United debut has won an appeal against his imprisonment.

Ryan Inniss, who is on loan at Blues from Crystal Palace, was given a 14-week sentence last week after admitting assault at a bar in Beckenham, south-east London, in May.

But at an appeal hearing today, his sentence was suspended for 18 months, meaning he has been freed immediately.

He was ordered to carry out 240 hours on unpaid work and £300 to his victim, as well as taking part in a 20-day alcohol rehabilitation course.

Southend United have so far declined to comment on the matter, meaning it is unclear whether the club were aware of the ongoing legal case when they signed Inniss on a season-long loan on August 31.

The defender's imprisonment meant he missed what could have been his Shrimpers debut on Saturday, as Blues suffered a 4-0 defeat at Scunthorpe.