SOUTHEND United centre-back John White was pleased but surprised to return to action for the Shrimpers in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Blackpool.

White - who had been out since early February with an ankle injury - replaced the unwell Anton Ferdinand at the heart of the back four at Bloomfield Road.

And the 31-year-old was delighted by his shock return, which came after he had been back in training for just two days.

“I was slightly shocked to play because I’ve only trained for a couple of days, but it was great to be playing again,” said White.

“Ben Clarkson (club physiotherapist) and his staff have done a wonderful job because they’ve been able to get me through.

“It’s testament to what they do and I’m really pleased to have got through the 90 minutes but, obviously, it would have been better if we had got the three points.”

White - who suffered his ankle injury in a 0-0 draw at Peterborough United - was his usual solid self in defence.

But he did not know he was starting until just a few hours before kick-off in Blackpool.

“I didn’t know I was starting until Saturday morning,” said White.

“The manager hadn’t gone through the team until then anyway so it was a case of everyone being prepared. I found out in the morning that Anton had gone home ill and that was it but maybe it helped me not having too much time to think about it.

“It might have been the best way for me.”

White slotted in alongside Michael Turner against the Seasiders. And the reliable defender admitted it was tough to deal with the conditions.

“It was a bit crazy and the weather kept changing,” said White.

“You had sun, then wind, then the snow and when it was in your face it was difficult to see, so it was a crazy day.”

Blues were still able to break the deadlock when Marc-Antoine Fortune fired them in front after just 10 minutes.

But White felt Blackpool’s equaliser on the stroke of half-time proved key.

“The timing of their goal was the worst thing, coming just before half-time,” said White.

“It was a disappointing goal and it was a bad time to take a bit of a knock.

“With the form we’re in, we want to be winning games and it’s disappointing not to get all three points. But we’re away from home and we’re playing a team who are also on a good run so it was always going to be a battle but we came through it.”