SOUTHEND United winger Ricky Holmes played 45 minutes on Saturday despite having a broken ankle.

The 33-year-old was determined to feature as Blues battled to stay in League Two.

But Shrimpers boss Phil Brown has now discovered the full extent of Holmes’ injury.

“If I am at Southend United next year the only thing I’m interested in is the mentality people like Ricky Holmes have because he played on Saturday with a broken ankle,” said Brown.

“The impact of what happened in the previous game against Leyton Orient forced him off but he was absolutely adamant he would strap it up and play at Barrow.

“He couldn’t really train Monday or Tuesday and I was looking at him lying on the physio bed.

“He knew I was picking the team after that so he went through the pain barrier.

“Consequently I did a walk through on the Friday which is unusual for me but I knew the journey was a long one.

“We did a walk through on Roots Hall and it was one Ricky could join in.

“That actually got him out of the field of play.

“He strapped it up to play at Barrow but he went for an x ray on Sunday and they’ve found a hairline fracture in his ankle.

“But they are the type of people I want at the club next year if I am at Southend United. “