SOUTHEND United manager Sol Campbell was pleased to welcome Blues’ next generation of fans to watch his side train at Roots Hall yesterday.

More than 60 Junior Blues members were able to watch the Shrimpers squad being put through their paces on the pitch.

And Campbell was happy to have them in attendance.

“It’s always nice to have the fans of the future playing a part,” said Campbell.

“It’s always key and you have to have a good connection with the community from a young age.

“Southend have been doing it for years and it’s nice to see it first hand for the first time.

“It’s good these fans can watch the training session and it’s a good day out for them.

“It’s nice to give back and you never know, there might be a future Southend player among them watching.”

Blues, who were beaten 3-1 by Ipswich Town on Saturday, head to eighth-placed Sunderland this weekend.

And Campbell is continuing to try and turn Shrimpers’ fortunes around.

“I’ve only been here a little while,” said the former England international who took control of Blues last week.

“It’s difficult because you don’t have a lot of time to train between the games.

“We’ve managed to move things around and get blocks of training.

“This week we’re having three days and it’s a day off on Thursday so we can get the lads in and understand what we’re trying to achieve.

“It’s difficult but we have to commit.”