SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown has been boosted by the return of ‘this season’s surprise package’ Harry Kyprianou.

The Shrimpers centre-back has been out of action since early October after suffering a thigh problem during a 4-1 defeat at Doncaster Rovers.

But the 20-year-old has now regained full fitness and would have figured for the under-23s against MK Dons this afternoon had the game not fallen victim to the freezing weather.

“Harry was due to play in the game but it’s great to have him back because he’s been the real surprise package of the season so far,” said Blues boss Brown.

“At the start of the season we didn’t know if Harry would get a run of games or where his best position was really.

“He can play left-back, centre-back or the left hand side of midfield but he got his opportunity at centre-back and did well before getting the injury at Doncaster.

“You sometimes get a surprise package emerge like that and we’ve been lucky enough to have a few this season.

“I would put Elvis Bwomono and Dru Yearwood in that category and we have Amadou Ba coming through now.

“We could certainly have done with their energy and attitude in the second half at Bristol Rovers rather than what we saw.

“But their chance will come very, very soon.”

Kyprianou will now continue his comeback by working hard in training and will be pushing hard to reclaim a starting spot in the Southend defence.

The youngster has made nine appearances for Blues this season and was voted the club’s player of the month for September.

The Shrimpers won four games in succession during that spell and Kyprianou will be pushing for a place in the squad for this weekend’s clash with Bradford City as Brown’s side look to bounce back from their 3-0 defeat at Bristol Rovers.