RICKY Duncan is relishing staying involved with Southend United’s reserve team next season.

As reported in Echosport earlier on this week, Duncan will be working with the Shrimpers’ second string as well as the youth team next term.

And he is looking forward to combining both of the roles at Roots Hall.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity to continue our youth development” said the 43-year-old.

“As we take steps closer towards academy status, my continuation as joint reserve team and youth team manager provides the youth team with the opportunity to work closer with first team players and this will hopefully make their transition from a junior to senior level as easy as possible.”

Duncan has helped bring through a series of youngsters for the Shrimpers, including the likes of Franck Moussa and Johnny Herd.

Now those wanting to follow in their footsteps will have more opportunities to impress and improve.

“The benefits of this are obvious —the youngsters will learn from experienced professionals at the club as well as being able to physically see the benchmarked level required to break into our first team,” added Duncan.

“Personally, for me it is an opportunity to improve myself as a coach. It’s a new challenge which I will thrive on although I don’t see this as anything but an expansion of the youth-to-senior set-up at the club.”

But Duncan was also keen to stress that the youth players would remain his priority.

“The development of youth at this club is always at the forefront of my thinking and this hasn’t changed,” he said.

“The main beneficiaries of this change in structure will be the under 18s as they will learn far more of the skills required to make it, skills they would not learn otherwise.

“An example of this is the physicality of professional football which can only be taught in a playing environment and going up against adults week in, week out.

“This will only enhance this side of their game and give them the advantage going into their youth matches on a Saturday morning.”