SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown has hinted Ryan Inniss will be staying with the Shrimpers.

Inniss – who is with the club on loan from Crystal Palace – has now been released from prison after successfully appealing against his original 14 week sentence for assault.

And Brown has revealed he met with the centre-back on Wednesday to hold talks about his future.

“I had a meeting with Ryan yesterday but we’ve got lots of things to consider and discuss which are beyond our control,” said the Blues boss.

“At this moment in time it’s not been decided if he can be in the squad and play this weekend against Millwall.

“But we’ve got to the bottom of everything which has gone on and we’re hopeful we can put this behind us and move forward.”

Inniss has yet to make his debut for the Shrimpers after joining the club on transfer deadline day.

And Brown insisted Blues did not know the seriousness of the defender’s impending court case when he first came to the club.

“When we signed the player we knew nothing about the ins and outs of the incident but we did know there was a court case,” said the 57-year-old.

“It was a shock to our system when he got a jail sentence.

“We have to deal with that and the fall-out including people’s opinions on the matter.

“But we are dealing with it and the club have conducted themselves in the best manner, along with Crystal Palace.

“We’re hoping to get a positive outcome to it all.”