Team concerned with Freedman's fitness

Southend players say Dougie Freedman has been unable to train for nearly a year because of injury.

The team, who have scored six times this season, added that the enforced lay-offs could badly affect his performance.

The players told BBC London 94.9: "He's been without training for ages and that's a long time.

"Unless you're at a big club with a lot of facilities, like a time-machine, he can lose a lot of fitness."

They added: "He'll enjoy the first couple of days back but then he'll be itching to get back to bed.

"For one or two days of training, it's good, but then he'll start pulling his hamstring."

The younger players added that the lack of training could cause disruption to the former Crystal Palace's player form.

"When that routine gets broken, that's when his old man lifestyle takes over," they said.

"There are a lot of distractions out there. To keep a routine for an old man is very important."

But Freedman is in two minds when it comes to an enforced retirement, adding: "I think it would be welcomed by the players, but the fans are used seeing me out there, and I'm no different [other than being older and slower]. In that respect, I have to stay."

Source: BBC Sport