Chris Barker heading for Shrimpers exit

Barker: Heading for Southend exit?

After John White was announced as the club's new captain, the 33-year-old former captain of Southend has been told he is unneeded at Roots Hall, and appears to be joining Hereford United on loan, our reports/sources say.

Brown left no room for sentiment with Barker but has not ruled out the defender still having a future with the Sky Bet League Two side should his trial period with the Bulls not work right

"I've had a conversation with Chris and explained how we're moving in a different direction now and that it may be best for him to move on," the former Hull manager told the Southend Echo.
"He's a great lad but we'll see how he gets on with Hereford and take things from there.
"If he's still with us by the time we get back from Madrid then he could still have a future with us."

The defender has been hoping to help Southend achieve promotion, after losing the role of the skipper, and hopes to continue at Southend to give 100%.

Barker was disappointed with not travelling with the squad to Madrid for the club's friendly in Spain but is fully behind new captain John White and would advise him throughout the season.

He said: “It wasn’t nice missing out on Madrid but I respect the manager’s decision. I just want to play football so I went to Hereford and played in a game for them to keep myself ticking over. I’ve got to do whatever I can to make the manager change his opinion and I will give it 100 per cent. Pre-season has been tough, it always is, but I’ve played in four full matches and feel ready for the season to get underway.