SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown insists Adam Barrett still has a big part to play for the Shrimpers this season.

The club captain was excluded from the squad for Saturday’s 1-0 win against Chesterfield.

But Brown still expects the 36-year-old to play an integral part in the remainder of the campaign.

“Adam is still an integral part of the changing room,” said Brown.

“I’m looking at our goal difference which is now minus 10 and I want to get that down as much as we can.

“I went with something different on Saturday but Adam has played every league game so far this season and, at 36, I probably wasn’t expecting that from him.

“He’s exceeded everyone’s expectations since coming back and he continues to do that.

“He’s one of those characters we need, especially as we have a lot of young lads in the squad.”

Brown paired Adam Thompson with Anton Ferdinand against the Spireites.

And he also decided against selecting the popular Barrett among the substitutes.

“Adam was left out of the team and is a 36-year-old centre half going to do anything for me on the bench?,” questioned Brown.

“You saw Ian Evatt on their bench but you’re not going to use them unless it’s dire straights to be honest.

“I had John White and Ryan Inniss on the bench but Adam definitely still has a big part to play.”

Ferdinand was handed the armband in the absence of Barrett.

And Brown explained that was down to the defender’s know-how.

“It was Anton’s experience which saw him made captain and there’s nothing more to be looked into there,” said Brown.

“Ryan Leonard was an option but he still needs to be worked, told and talked to and that comes from behind. I like a captain to be a defender.”