MARTIN Keown is backing Sol Campbell to make a big impact at Southend United.

Campbell took over the struggling Shrimpers last week.

And Keown – who played alongside the new Blues boss at Arsenal – is pleased to see the 45-year-old back in the game.

“Sol did a great job at Macclesfield and I’m pleased to see he’s got another opportunity because I think he had been out of the game too long after that,” Keown told Echosport.

“It’s a new club for him but it’s a League higher and he will have better finances and facilities available to him now as well along with a good backroom team in Andy Cole and Hermann Hreidarsson.

“Sol has taken on the challenge and he will certainly give it everything he has.

“I sincerely hope he does well and I’m sure he will.”

Campbell was beaten 3-1 by Ipswich Town in his first game in charge of the Shrimpers on Saturday and they remain second from bottom in the League One standings. But Keown knows Campbell will be a good boss to play for.

“I’ve been involved in football a long time and I would honestly say Sol is one of the most honest people I’ve met in the game,” said Keown.

“He will be great for the players and will reward the ones who work hard. He’s never been afraid of taking on tough projects and he showed that during his playing career as well.”

However, Keown - who now works as a television pundit - was not surprised to see Campbell go into management.

“Sol was always doing his coaching badges and it’s good to see him taking these jobs on,” said Keown.

“Frank Lampard has enjoyed a meteoric rise with Derby and Chelsea and Steven Gerrard has gone in at Rangers. But Sol has not been afraid to start lower down and I’ll be keeping track of Southend’s results from now on.”