United boss hopes to keep Friend

The 21-year-old's one-month loan spell with the Shrimpers expires after this weekend's clash with Bristol Rovers. But, with Tilson light on defensive numbers after losing Osei Sankofa for six weeks with a knee injury, he is keen for Friend to remain at Roots Hall for longer. "It is important we keep George," he told the Southend Echo. "It's certainly something I will be looking to do." Tilson's other loan defender, Sunderland's Jean-Yves M'Voto, is struggling to face Rovers owing to a hip problem that has ruled him out of the last five games.