Steve Tilson has admitted that he still enjoys the job of being Southend United manager.

The Blues chief has had limited options to work with recently but has guided Southend to tenth in League One.

And despite the struggle in naming a side on occasions, Tilson confirmed he is happy at Roots Hall.

"I still love coming out onto the training ground and working with the players," Tilson told Blues Player.

"They have been a different class and I think they showed that last Friday with the way they played against Gillingham.

"They put in a whole hearted performance and that is all you can ask for which is why I am still enjoying what I am doing."

He will still however have to continue to deal with a threadbare squad for Saturday's first round FA Cup match away at Gillingham.

Blues are without Lee Barnard and Alan McCormack through suspension meaning the United chief only has 13 professionals to work with.

Both Dougie Freedman and Damian Scannell are included amongst that number after returning from injuries.

But Tilson insisted he wouldn't risk the duo unless they were 100 per cent fit.

"If they are not right they won't play and then we will have to play some youth players," he said.

"I watched the youth team on Tuesday night against Millwall in the FA Youth Cup and there were not too many that did themselves any favours.

"Ricky Duncan will say the same; there are not too many telling me that they deserve to be on the bench.

"With the situation we are in you would expect some of them to show me that they deserve a place on the bench rather than being there because we have no choice."