SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown would love Ricky Duncan to become the club's director of football.

Duncan, Blues' academy manager, stepped up to work with Brown in the first team set up for the final six games of last season.

And Brown is keen for Duncan to remain involved.

"I’ve worked with Ricky Duncan before in a number of different roles," said Brown.

"He will probably find himself in more of a director of football role and that's what I'm hoping for.

"He’s done a great job at first team level and we all know he can do that.

"But director of the academy is still an important role and he if oversees all of that then all well and good.

"He’s someone I can communicate with and know I can trust."