RYAN Cresswell knows only too well that Southend United’s players might have more than football on their minds this weekend.

The senior members of the Shrimpers squad are still waiting to pick up their February pay packets.

And Cresswell - who lined up for both Blues and tomorrow’s opponents Rotherham in his own career - knows exactly how that feels.

“You don’t want to use it as an excuse because you do focus on the game but at the back of your mind of course you’re thinking about other things so it does play a part,” said Cresswell.

“Being paid late happens but when I was at Southend it was more the lack of communication from the hierarchy which was the problem because you were left in limbo not even knowing when you were going to be paid.

“It definitely has an effect.”

Centre-back Cresswell was with the Shrimpers between July 2012 and July 2013, scoring eight goals in 54 games.

But it was an eventful period.

“I was only there 12 months but I get the feeling it’s a place where fans and everyone must think this could only happen at Southend,” said Cresswell.

“I still keep an eye on how the club is doing but it always seems to be about a court appearance, wages not being paid or even the manager getting the name of the team wrong.

“It just never seems to be settled.”

And that still saddens Cresswell.

“Southend is a great club and it’s a real shame to see what’s happening,” said the defender.

“The fanbase is brilliant and I still remember that turnout for Wembley which was just wow.

“I think there were about 30,000 fans there and it was just a shame I never really felt as though we achieved what we should have done there.”

Cresswell was most recently back in Essex, playing for Glenn Tamplin’s Romford side.

But the 32-year-old is now without a club as he waits to undergo surgery.

“I’m just plodding along again now but I have to have surgery in two weeks,” said Cresswell.

“I have a problem with my sinuses and it’s making it hard to breathe so I have to have my nose broken and operated on so that everything can get sorted out.

“But I’ll certainly be looking for another club for next season.”

Before then, however, Cresswell remains right behind Rotherham and he will be at tomorrow’s game.

“I’ll be there tomorrow and I’ll be in one of the lounges before the game answering questions as I played for both clubs,” said Cresswell.

“I’m a Rotherham lad and they’re my team. They’re a bit of a yo-yo team but it’s very hard for them in the Championship against teams coming down from the Premier League with all their millions. But Rotherham get the very most from what they have which is great.”