SOUTHEND United centre-back Josh Coulson could make his first appearance of pre-season when the Shrimpers head to Ebbsfleet United this weekend.

The experienced defender has yet to appear in a warm up fixture after suffering a broken toe in training.

But Blues boss Phil Brown is confident the 32-year-old will be free to feature on Saturday.

“It will probably be 45 minutes, 60 maximum for Josh,” said Brown.

“He’s come into a position where one of the players got player of the year, in Shaun Hobson and one where we re-signed John White so we’re fairly experienced and strong in that position.

“I might also shift the emphasis to defence to attack by picking a three man defence.

“Josh comes into the reckoning for that and for a back four as well so there’s good competition for places in what I class to be one of the key roles next year. “

And Brown feels Coulson, who joined Blues this summer, will have a big part to play this season.

“One thing I noticed in the National League last year is that all teams have big players in the back four,” said Brown.

“I don’t mean just size I mean stature as well and hoping Josh will fit the role for us where that’s concerned.

“Hopefully he will train with the ball today and tomorrow and we can build him up from there.

“We could get a full game into him against Norwich but we also have the possibility of using overage players in the under 23 cup match we have against Stevenage next Wednesday.”