Wednesday 13 October 2010 13:07, UK
Mark Phillips is ready for first-team action after coming through 90 minutes for Southend's reserves on Tuesday.
The defender has been sidelined with a hamstring injury since late August but is finally back in the frame for Saturday's clash against Crewe having emerged unscathed from the 3-3 draw against Ipswich. "There's been no reaction, which is good news," he said. "I'm ready for the first-team now if I'm needed. This was my first 90 minutes in around two months and there are parts of the game I know I need to work on. But I can do that in training and be okay for the game with Crewe if the manager needs me." Another player hoping to push his way into Paul Sturrock's plans is young striker Harry Crawford, who bagged a brace, including a 90th-minute leveller to secure a dramatic point. Sturrock watched from the stands at Roots Hall and Crawford, 18, said: "It is always good to score, whatever the level. I felt I could have had a couple more as I had another decent effort in the first half and then hit a post in the second. "But I still managed to get two goals and hopefully that has helped me catch the manager's eye."