SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown has confirmed Lee Barnard will not be extending his loan spell at Stevenage.

The 30-year-old striker has scored three goals in his first three games at Broadhall Way.

But he will be heading back to Roots Hall at the end of the month.

“Lee Barnard will be coming back in after the month with Stevenage and that loan will definitely not be extended,” said Brown.

“We’ve been to see Barney play for them and he’s been doing well.

“We thought it would be good for him to go out on loan to get games, fitness and goals to get his confidence up.

“I think it’s definitely served a purpose for us and hopefully we can benefit from that when he comes back in to the squad for December and ahead of the January transfer window.”

But Brown is not sure if Barnard will be able to play for Stevenage in their next match, an FA Cup replay at Maidstone United on Thursday night, due to the Kent club’s artificial 3G pitch.

“Barney was always one whose body struggled to train on the 3G pitches so whether or not he will be able to play against Maidstone remains to be seen,” added Brown.