SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown insists he has been boosted by a training ground bust up ahead of Saturday’s clash with Leyton Orient.

The second from bottom Shrimpers must see off the O’s at Roots Hall and hope Barrow lose at Tranmere Rovers to keep their slight survival hopes alive.

But Brown has been encouraged by the fighting spirit on show.

“I was buoyed by the fact we had our first fight on the training ground today,” said the Blues boss who has been back in charge for the last three games.

“People might be thinking I’m stupid but I’m not.

“If they fought the opposition the way they fought each other today on Saturday then I’ll take that.

“I want a group of players who are willing to fight for the cause and that cause is to stay in the division.”

And, while Brown would not name who was involved, he hinted they could play a part at the weekend.

“The two kids who fought, quite simply, have a great chance of playing on Saturday because I want to see that fight together against the opposition not each other,” said Brown.

“I don’t want a group of 11 players fighting and I don’t want to scare supporters.

“I want the players to fight for the cause and that’s winning three games of football, starting with Saturday against Leyton Orient.”