Southend to give troubled Nile Ranger ANOTHER chance to relaunch career when released from prison
Former Newcastle striker to be welcomed back to League One Shrimpers confirms boss Phil Brown
SOUTHEND will hand Nile Ranger ANOTHER chance to relaunch his career upon his release from jail.
The former Newcastle striker is currently serving an eight month prison sentence.
Ranger, 26, admitted online banking fraud in May and was sent behind bars.
But the ex-Premier League hitman is expected to be released within the next few weeks.
And Shrimpers boss Phil Brown expects the striker to return to training ahead of the new League One campaign getting underway on August 5.
He told BBC Essex: "When the season starts, we'll try to get games behind closed doors so he can get a level of match fitness.”
Ranger pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to defraud by obtaining bank details and transferring money.
Southend said they would consider his future after his conviction.
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Brown’s men were defeated by Brighton in a pre-season friendly on Tuesday.
And afterwards Brown said: "Nile has to understand that these players are playing with discipline and have done for the last three or four weeks.
"The best we will get out of Nile is probably a week's work and that won't be enough for him to be fit for the [start of the] season."
Rangers joined Southend twelve months ago after a miserable spell at Blackpool.
The former England youth international bagged eight goals in 27 matches last season.
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