SOUTHEND United have confirmed their first four pre-season friendlies.

Blues will head to Great Wakering Rovers on Tuesday July 20 before hosting a West Ham XI on Friday July 23.

The Shrimpers then head to Maidstone United on Saturday July 24 before also heading to Ebbsfleet on Saturday August 7.

But Blues boss Phil Brown will be adding more warm up matches as his side prepare for the forthcoming National League season. 

"We’ll be talking to other clubs because we’ve still got another four or five spaces to fill," said Brown. 

"If we get eight or nine pre-season friendlies then the majority of players have a chance of getting three or four full 90 minutes under their belt, so we’re still looking for more.

"It’s always nice, the first game in pre-season, and we always go to Great Wakering for the opening one to get a couple of 45 minutes under our belt.

"We’ve got a good relationship with them and it’s always a good game of football."

And it looks like being a busy period for Blues.

"We then step straight into a West Ham XI game on the Friday and then Saturday against Maidstone United," said Brown.

"We’re jumping in the deep end going up against a West Ham side who have had an absolutely fantastic year in the Premier League. To take them on, regardless of what team they send along, will be a good test for us.

"With those two games I can get into my 60/30, 30/60 [minutes] with the Maidstone United game the following day.

"I want everybody match fit before the season starts on the 21st August, and that’s not just the first XI. That’s the second XI and the third XI.

"We’re hoping for another home game too, hopefully against Premier League opposition."