SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown is delighted to have kept hold of centre-back Shaun Hobson.

Blues' player of the season has signed a new two year deal to stay at Roots Hall.

And Brown cannot wait to keep on working with the defender. 

"I’m absolutely delighted," said the Shrimpers boss.

"Centre half is a big position in any league, let alone the National League.

"I think you need big strong characters, you need a bit of pace, you need stature, you need an ability to handle the ball and for me Shauny ticks all of the boxes that I’m talking about.

"Not only that but he was player of the year last season so it looks to me like he is one of those who is very well respected by the supporters and the way he plays the game.

"For us to sign a 22-year-old that is going to have another 10 or 12 years in the game is great and hopefully we can educate him.

"He’s not worked with me closely yet either, only the six games we had together at the end of last season."

And Brown still feels there is more to come from Hudson who joined Blues from Bournemouth last summer. 

"I certainly think there is a lot to work with and hopefully my style of coaching will improve him no end because I do like defenders that put their body on the line, and Shauny is one of them," said Brown. 

"I want him to be playing League football come next year because we’ve had a successful season in the National League."

But Brown is still keen to bring in more defenders. 

"I won’t be stopping there with regards to centre backs," said Brown.

"John White is going to be a centre half next year, not a full back, but I’m certainly looking and talking to two or three central defenders as well to maybe give Shauny that competition for places that he will need to make him a better player."