KEVAN Hurst has been delighted by Southend United’s promising start to the season and is now desperate to help play a part in it continuing.

Blues have picked up nine points from the opening 12 on offer so far this term.

And, having now recovered from the knee injury which forced him to miss the Shrimpers’ first three league games, Hurst is raring to go and hopes to play a part at Wycombe Wanderers tomorrow.

“It’s all about the results and the boys have started the season on fire,” said Hurst, who turned 28 on Tuesday.

“It was just a shame the result went the way it did at Chesterfield on Saturday because it could have gone either way.

“The positive was that we still put in a good performance and for me personally it was great to get on and make my first appearance of the season.

“It was disappointing to miss the first few games but I’m back now so hopefully I’ll be able to play more of a part, starting with Wycombe tomorrow.”

But Hurst’s involvement is likely to remain as a substitute until he works his way back to full fitness.

The winger, who made more goals than any other player in League Two last season, is training hard to get back in to shape.

However, he is not yet ready to play 90 minutes on a consistent basis.

“I could play a whole game but I wouldn’t be able to do it every week because for that to happen you need a good base of fitness,” said Hurst.

“ I’m nearly there but I don’t want to go in to the team then have to come back out again because I’m not fit enough.

“That’s not in my mindset and I want to be as fit as I can before coming back to play.

“But it’s a big game tomorrow so of course I want to involved.

“We want to go there and get the three points and make sure we react in the right way from the disappointing result we suffered against Chesterfield last weekend.”

Blues will definitely be missing long term absentees Marc Laird (knee) and Junior Bennett (cruciate ligaments) but captain John White is expected to be fit despite picking up a slight groin injury during the defeat to Chesterfield.

Centre-back Mark Phillips will also face a late fitness test on the groin injury which has kept him out of the last two matches.