SOUTHEND United’s assistant manager Gary Waddock believes a five-day training camp in Dorset will be of huge benefit to Blues.

The Shrimpers drew 2-2 at National League South side Weymouth on Friday and will stay in the south-west until tomorrow.

And Waddock - who came to the club earlier this summer - is certain the extended stay will get the team in good shape as they continue to prepare for the forthcoming League One season.

“They’ve worked extremely hard on the training ground so it’s nice to get them all together,” said Waddock.

“For me personally I’ll get to know them better as well but we’ve come down here to work them hard, physically and on the team shape as well so it will be a good few days together.”

Blues’ trip started with a stalemate at the Bob Lucas Stadium as goals from Stephen Humphrys and Isaac Hutchinson saw the clash end all square.

And Waddock felt it was another good workout for the Shrimpers.

“It’s a fitness exercise and the lads were getting minutes into their legs again,” said the former Wycombe Wanderers boss.

“We’ve had a long journey down here and the manager rotated the group around from the game against Billericay, so players got 60 minutes/30 minutes and it was another good exercise.

“They’re doing hard work on the training ground too and it will do the lads the world of good.”

And Waddock was also pleased to see Shrimpers striker Humphrys score for the second pre-season game in succession.

“You want your strikers scoring and hitting the back of the net,” said Waddock.

“It gives him confidence and it’s very positive for him.

“It would have been good for Brandon (Goodship) to get the winner and Dru did fantastically well to get that chance for him.

“He’s a goalscorer and it would have been great for him but it wasn’t to be. He’ll get his goals though I’m sure.”

Southend United first hour: Bishop, Howard, Taylor (White 30), Kiernan, Clifford, Phillips, Hutchinson, Klass, Acquah, Humphrys, Kelman

Final half an hour: Bishop, White, Jordan, Lennon, Blackman, Bwomono, Yearwood, Mantom, Milligan, McLaughlin, Goodship