Ricketts then signed for Southend at the start of the season but after a troublesome time he decied to leave the club and go across the Atlantic to work on his fitness amongst other things. He is now said to be back in shape and raring to go. Initially he was offered the facilities at North End to train with a view of looking to find football anywhere but Simpson has taken a shine to the frontman who is now expected to play a reserve game in January with a possibility of signing.