Assistant manager Paul Brush has confirmed that Ricky Duncan will be taking charge of the reserve team until the end of the season alongside his current duties as Director of Youth.

Former second string coach Colin West yesterday left Roots Hall to take up a first team role with Blues League One rivals Hartlepool United.

West's departure comes after only two months at Southend United, but Brush has confirmed that United's Head of Youth Ricky Duncan will take charge of the reserves as well as be more involved in the day to day first team coaching.

"Ricky Duncan is going to push up from the youth team and start taking the reserves and development team as well," Brush told Blues World this afternoon.

"That means he will work alongside us in the week and Luke Hobbs will be pushed forwards with the youth team more.

"Between the first team and the reserves there are nearly 30 games between now and the end of the season.

"Sometimes it is better for Steve and me to step back and watch games from a distance as we get more from that.

"We will carry on this season and review the whole thing in the summer."

Ricky Duncan added: "I am really happy to help out with the reserves until the end of the season.

"We have discussed bringing the reserves under the Centre of Excellence structure in the future.

"I am still committed to being the Director of Youth at Southend United and this opportunity to help out the first team management and bring some continuity to the set-up."

West returned to the north east on Wednesday to link-up with his former mentor Chris Turner.

The duo has worked together at Sheffield Wednesday and Hartlepool United previously.

And Brush was always aware that there was a chance West would return to the Monkeyhangers.

"We were very upset to lose Colin as he blended in well with us over a short space of time," added Paul Brush.

"Steve (Tilson) and I have worked with each other for over five and a half years so to be comfortable with someone after just a few weeks show how much we trusted him.

"It is a good opportunity for him and in the back of our minds we knew that whilst Chris Turner was still involved at Hartlepool then it was always a possibility he would go there.

"Colin felt a little bit embarrassed on the phone telling us as he was reluctant to go but from a professional point of view it was a good chance.

"With the number of reserve games coming up, along with first team, it was not a good time."