Alderton back at Southend

By Mark Buckingham

SOUTHEND UNITED have handed Rio Alderton a second opportunity to earn a contract at Roots Hall.

Alderton joined The Shrimpers on a short-term basis at the end of last season, after being released by Millwall.

The tough-tackling midfielder figured as a substitute twice for Southend as they closed out their Third Division campaign.

Shrimpers boss Rob Newman did offer the 19-year-old a deal at the end of the term but Alderton had been non-commital.

Newman has invited Alderton back for pre-season training and is giving the youngster a chance to impress.

"At the end of last season we offered him a deal," Newman told the club's official website.

"We asked him to come back in for pre-season training but we hadn't heard anything until he rang Crowny on Tuesday.

"It's quite good because he wasn't too bad last season and now it's just a case of seeing how he does in pre-season."

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