BRISTOL Rovers boss Joey Barton insists he will help Kevin Maher any way he can at Southend United.

Maher left a role in Barton’s backroom team to become head coach at Roots Hall.

And Barton was sad to see the 44-year-old leave the Pirates.

“I’m disappointed to lose Kev,” said the former Manchester City midfielder.

“He’s been a really good confidant since I came to the club.

"He’s a really good fella, but he’s had coaching ambitions.

"He spent a long time playing at Southend and he spoke to me before the (Colchester) game on Tuesday about the interest.

"As a young coach, which Kev is, you always want to have that chance to put your own ideas in play and have your own group, and he’s managed to secure a great opportunity and I wish him every success.

“But we’ve said to him that if he ever needs anything from us, the phone will always be on and if we can help him out in any way, we will.

"I’ll be looking out for their results now on a Saturday as Kev crosses over into the managerial hot seat.”

However, Barton believes Maher will notice a big difference after making the step up.

"You see some of the (Mikel) Arteta comments in terms of Steve Bruce and I think Kev will realise the slight difference now between coaching and management,” said Barton.

“But he’s got all the tools he needs to be successful, so good luck to him and good luck to Southend."