JASON Demetriou will be among the coaching team when Southend United host Braintree Town in the fourth round of the Essex Senior Cup on Tuesday night.

The 35-year-old right wing-back is keen to stay in the game when he opts to hang up his boots.

And Demetriou - who had a short spell as Blues’ caretaker boss last season - is enjoying being part of the backroom set up for the Senior Cup contests.

“The gaffer and everyone have been great with me,” said Demetriou.

“He’s always helped me out and knows I’d like to that side of things in the future.

“He’s said I can do bits in this cup and work with Benno (Mark Bentley) and Heathy (Danny Heath) which has been really good.

“I’ll be involved again this week and I’m starting to slowly learn more about that role.

“It’s been great and I’m picking up lots of little bits.

“It’s nice that the gaffer has allowed me to do a bit of both.”

Demetriou - who scored in Saturday's 3-0 win against Solihull Moors - has made 224 appearances for Blues since signing in 2016.

But he has yet to decide if this season will be last as a player.

"It's a tough question but lets get through this season and then sit down in the summer and see what happens," said Demetriou.

"It could finish at the end of the season or there could be another year, I'm not sure.

"We'll see how I'm feeling in the summer and what the club want to do as well.

"We will assess everything then."

Fit-again forward Rhys Murphy is expected to feature for Blues against Braintree along with defenders Louis Lomas and Tom Clifford

Braintree are currently ninth in National League South and have ex Shrimpers John White, Leon Davies and Matt Rush in their squad.

Current Blues midfielder Jon Benton is still on loan with the Iron and scored in their 3-1 defeat at Havant & Waterlooville on Saturday.

But he will not feature in Tuesday's encounter.

The cup clash kicks off at 7.30pm.