Wednesday 12 March 2014 15:49, UK
Southend boss Phil Brown believes loanee defender Jakub Sokolik can "play a big part" in the club's promotion push.
The 20-year-old centre-back arrived from Liverpool on Tuesday and was an unused substitute in the 2-2 draw against Scunthorpe, which left the Shrimpers lying in seventh place in Sky Bet League Two. Sokolik, who joined the Reds from Banik Ostrava in 2009, impressed Brown during a trial period and with his performance in a friendly against Colchester. And the Shrimpers' boss hopes the defender will slot seamlessly into a defence which has lost Luke Prosser and Adam Thompson to injury in recent weeks. "I was very impressed with Jakub in the game against Colchester and in training last week," Brown told the club's website. "We've had a number of injury problems in the centre of defence this season and he'll come in to play a big part between now and the end of the season. "He's a young lad, but Liverpool have given him a good education. I'm sure he'll come here and make an impact."