SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown says it will be tough to select his right-back at Charlton Athletic tomorrow.

Eighteen-year-old Elvis Bwomono has impressed in that role in the Shrimpers’ last two matches.

But he now faces competition from Jason Demetriou, who has returned from international action with Cyprus.

And Brown insists it will be a difficult decision to make.

“It will be a very tough decision between Elvis and Jason Demetriou, who is an established international footballer,” said Brown.

“Elvis showed great qualities at Gillingham and then really took the game to Rochdale.

“They were two different types of game but he came up trumps in both of them.

“Elvis has an old head on young shoulders so I have plenty to be thinking about in that area of the pitch.”

But Brown is expecting to have more defenders to call on at the Valley with John White and Anton Ferdinand - who missed the 0-0 draw with Rochdale - pushing for a recall.

“Anton has had a good week with us so hopefully he’ll train today and be involved on Saturday,” said Brown.

“I would say he’s about 75 per cent likely to play and so is John White, while Stephen Hendrie, who suffered an impact injury against Rochdale and had to come off, is 100 per cent.”

However, Anthony Wordsworth, Michael Turner and Rob Kiernan are not yet ready to be risked.

“Woody has been involved in the warm-ups with the first team but he’s 25 per cent for Saturday,” said Brown.

“Michael isn’t ready yet and he’s coming along very slowly.

“He had a scan last week and the tear is still there.

“It’s smaller than it was before but hopefully he’ll be out of the treatment room in two weeks.

“Rob has also had more intensive treatment now and we’re hoping he’ll be back before Michael, but we need these big players of ours to be fit.”

Blues have not triumphed since the opening day of the season.

But winger Michael Kightly is keen to put that right tomorrow.

“We’ve only lost once in the League this season but we have to start turning these draws into wins,” said Kightly.

“If we had turned a couple of the draws into wins then it would have been a decent start, but there’s still work to be done.

“Charlton have started well but we want to go there and show we’re a good side too.”