SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown will not tolerate any of his team downing tools against Newport County on Saturday.

The Shrimpers head into the final game of the season having already been relegated from League Two.

But Brown insists he would rather play with 10 men than have a member of his side not giving their all.

“It’s a disgrace if you down tools and don’t wear that shirt with pride regardless of what the game has on offer or what there is to play for,” stressed Brown.

“If I detect anything like that, either in the warm up or the first five minutes in the game they will be replaced.

“We’re blessed with five subs and when I first started we didn’t have any.

“But I’d rather play with 10 men fighting than have an 11th who is not giving his all.

“The team will be selected on that premise and it will be fighting for the pride in the shirt we wear.”

The Shrimpers go into the game having won their last two outings.

And Brown is demanding another strong display.

“There always has to be pride in the performance and pride in your career,” said Brown, who returned for the final six games of the campaign.

“You play for yourself but you have your family to think about too plus your career and your team-mates.

“But if you down tools and I was a fan watching I wouldn’t mind a pitch invasion myself.”

Newport certainly have more to play for this weekend as they head into the clash sitting fifth in the standings.

County need just a point to make certain of a play off place.

And Brown is fully aware of the size of the task facing the Shrimpers.

“This will be our biggest test of the six games I’ve had since coming back and I want to see how these players respond to that.

“It will be an interesting game and I’m really looking forward to it to be honest. We’ve won the last two games and I want to end this season by making that three.”

Newport also head into the game in good form, having won three of their last four games.

And the game will see Brown coming head to head with someone he knows very well.

“Micky Flynn is a good friend of mine,” said the 61-year-old.

“He’s on the diploma course with me at the moment.

“We’ve shared many laughs over the past year but there will be no favours on Saturday and he’ll know that.

“I’m expecting a very strong performance from Newport. They’re up towards the top because they turn up every week and they will do that on Saturday to win the game because that’s what Micky Flynn is all about.”