SOUTHEND United midfielder Harry Phillips is making good progress with his knee injury - despite not being able to receive hands on treatment.

Blues’ Boots & Laces training ground remains closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

But Phillips - who has been out since early February - is still doing all he can to get fit.

“The whole training ground is on lockdown so I haven’t been able to get any treatment but I’ve been given a programme to follow until we can go back in,” said Phillips.

“The treatment has been good and Benji (Ben Clarkson) has really been looking after me.

“The injury is coming along and I’m pain free in my knee now. I’ve been working on a lot of strength and stability work to get it ready and have just started to run too.”

Phillips, who came through the youth ranks at Roots Hall, scored on his debut at Doncaster Rovers before helping to set up Charlie Kelman against Lincoln City in his next outing.

However, the 22-year-old injured his knee 10 minutes time and was frustrated to be forced onto the sidelines after waiting so long to be given a chance in the first team. 

"Any injury you pick up is going to be frustrating but it was especially frustrating this time as the timing wasn’t great," said Phillips.

"I felt I had done well in the games I played and it was a bit of kick in the teeth."

But Phillips - who did not require an operation - is now working his way back 

"As soon as I’m 100 per cent comfortable with my knee I want to get back training and playing," said Phillips.

"But with everything that's going on at the moment we obviously don't know when that will be."