SOUTHEND boss Kevin Maher was happy with the condition of players after they returned for pre-season training.
The Blues squad have come back from their holidays and have been put through their paces to check on their fitness.
The players have impressed manager Maher with their fitness and he is now looking forward to working with the squad ahead of next season.
Kevin Maher said: "Delighted obviously. It is a decent break for the lads but they are itching to get back and it was nice to see their faces back in again and get down to work, it is a lot different to when I was a player.
"The players have come back good, it is different in football these days as the overall team fitness has come back with them all in good shape.
"Delighted to see the new faces and see the lads who were already here to get to know them, that is what pre-season is about.
"Happy with the work we have done and now we are looking forward to pre-season and seeing what they can do with the rest of the team."
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