SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown feels Shrimpers skipper John White is approaching the new season with renewed motivation.

Brown has again named the experienced defender as club captain for the forthcoming campaign.

And Brown is certain he has made the right decision.

“John’s motivation levels are renewed to say it least and I see no reason to take the armband off him,” said Brown.

“He was quick to put pen to paper which is good support for me but I’ll also have a senior group of players who I’ll speak to for a barometer in the changing room and the mood in the camp.

“There will be five of them and the majority will be new players but John will head it up being captain.”

Brown also made White captain during his first spell in charge of the Shrimpers.

But the Blues boss feels the defender was left feeling frustrated.

“John is a very clean living lad with good morals and standards,” said Brown.

“When we were moving on and signed the likes of Anton Ferdinand and Nile Ranger he was probably a bit disillusioned with that changing room and the way some people were getting away with things he wouldn’t dream of doing.