SOUTHEND United manager Mark Molesley has welcomed news Shrimpers supporters will be back at Roots Hall next month.

With Essex being placed into tier two when lockdown finishes at the end of the month, 2,000 Blues fans will be able to attend home games beginning with Scunthorpe United’s visit on Saturday December 12.

And Molesley cannot wait to have fans behind his team for the first time since he was appointed manager in the summer.

“It’s great news,” said Molesley.

“It’s really positive news that’s come out and I don’t think the fans can come back quickly enough really.

“We can’t wait and hopefully that news can be followed by more positive news for us with players returning and what not.

“Hopefully the two can go hand in hand and the landscape can change quite quickly.”

Blues sit bottom of the League Two table having triumphed just once all season.

And Molesley is hoping the improved atmosphere can spur on his side.

“We’ve missed them and I heard great things about them,” said the Blues boss.

“It was a big part of why I wanted to come to the club because it’s so well supported.

“But we need their help, we really do.

“I think they will see how hard the boys are working and hopefully they will be sympathetic to a few of the problems we are facing this season.

“Hopefully they will see brighter times are to come and they can help to push on to those times.”