SOUTHEND United’s Ryan Leonard will not be short of advice if he is recalled to the team for tomorrow’s clash with Oxford United.

Leonard has a close working relationship with manager Paul Sturrock and the right-winger’s father Dave also played professionally for both Yeovil Town and Preston North End before managing Truro City.

As well as all that, the 19-year-old lives with Graham Coughlan and Chris Barker, who between them have made more than 1,000 appearances in their career.

And Leonard is grateful for their support.

“It certainly helps getting advice from them all and I definitely think it’s a good thing for me to have,” said Leonard.

“I’m pleased with how things have gone for me and the team this season and I’m really enjoying it too because I did fear not getting back in to league football when I was released by Plymouth at the end of last season.”

During his time with Argyle, Leonard worked with Sturrock and that led to him again being snapped up by the Scotsman on a free transfer.

Since then, Leonard has gone on to make 14 appearances for the first team and hopes to be handed a recall against Oxford.

Leonard is in contention, along with Neil Harris, to replace the suspended Bilel Mohsni.

But the youngster is keen to get the nod.

“I was a bit disappointed to drop out of the team because I thought I had been playing well,” said Leonard.

“Hopefully I can be back in tomorrow because it’s a really big game."

FULL STORY IN FRIDAY'S ECHO