Former Reading star Simon Cox has offered Southend United players his gym while the Shrimpers strike over unpaid wages.

Cox, from Tilehurst, enjoyed a 16-year EFL career and played almost 200 times for Southend in League One.

Now retired, the 36-year-old owns F45 in the city and has appealed to the current squad to assist with fitness during their strike.

Falling from the third tier to the fifth tier in four years, owner Ron Martin has overseen a period of 10 winding up petitions and numerous months of staff going unpaid.

Set to start their pre-season campaign next week against Canvey Island, Southend players have refused to train this week until unpaid wages are settled.

Cox took to social media to say he was 'devastated by recent events' at Roots Halls and has extended an invite to all players to take in some classes to 'keep your fitness levels high.'

The striker moved directly to Southend after his second spell at his boyhood club, playing over 70 times for the Royals in total.