SOUTHEND United left-back Ben Coker is ahead of schedule on his return from a broken leg.

Coker was originally expected to be missing until at least February after suffering the injury in a pre-season friendly against Colchester United.

But Blues boss Phil Brown believes the defender could be back in time to feature in the club’s Christmas fixtures.

“Ben is a rare creature and I would like to have more like him,” said Brown.

“He was told he would be out for six, seven or eight months but he’ll be thinking three.

“He trains and plays that way.

“He acts that way and he’s an example to all of them.

“All injured lads should take a leaf out of his book and he’s earmarking to be back at Christmas when the physios were initially saying it was going to be March or April when it happened.”

And, having witnessed the injury himself, Brown was also expecting to be without Coker for far longer.

“I was fearing the worst with Ben too because I was only two or three yards away when it happened,” said Brown.

“It was obviously a setback but he really is an example to anyone who is injured and he’s making really good progress so hopefully that can continue.”

Summer signing Stephen Hendrie started the first six league games of the season at left-back in the absence of Coker but has dropped down to the bench for the last two fixtures.

Jason Demetriou started ahead of the Scotsman at Shrewsbury Town before Michael Timlin - who filled in at left-back last season - lined up there against Northampton Town on Saturday.