RICKY Duncan is certain the four Southend United players currently out on loan will benefit hugely from the experience.

Striker Norman Wabo will spend the next month with Maidstone United while fellow forward Amadou Ba has joined Dartford for a four-week spell.

Goalkeeper Josh Bexon and striker Emile Acquah have also teamed up with Harlow Town.

But all of the players will continue to receive constant feedback from their coaches.

“We will make sure someone goes out to watch their games and will compile stats for them to see,” said Duncan.

“I have been to see Josh and Emile four times at Harlow already, while Kev (Maher) went to watch Norman’s first game at the weekend.

“We will give them feedback from all of their matches and it is great for them to go out and get these games.

“They need to go out and experience men’s football with three points to play for and I’m certain all four of them will benefit hugely from going out and getting these games.”

And Duncan, Blues’ academy manager, has already noticed big improvements.

“Josh and Emile have been out the longest and I’ve seen them develop in that time,” said Duncan.

“Josh is talking more to his defenders and commanding his area while Emile is enjoying challenging the defenders more.

“He’s got a couple of goals and it’s been good for them both.”

However, Blues will carefully consider what clubs they send their players to.

“Sometimes clubs will approach us and sometimes we will approach them but we always make sure the clubs we send players to have a similar philosophy towards young players as we do,” said Duncan.

“We will always talk to the player in question and will tell them to go and watch the club play before deciding if they like the environment there and the style of play before making their decision.

“We’ve learnt from our mistakes where that’s concerned but now a lot of time and effort goes into the loan moves.”

And Duncan will also speak to first team manager Chris Powell about the players leaving.

“When it’s one of the more senior players we will also talk to the manager, like we did with Norman,” said Duncan.

“But Norman really wanted to go and it will do him good going there to develop his game.”