Jay Smith would be willing to return to Southend United - despite being frustrated at his lack of first team opportunities earlier on this season.

The former Aston Villa trainee is currently on loan at League Two Notts County.

And he is uncertain about where his future lies.

"It's good to be enjoying my football again because I haven't been for a while," said the 25-year-old.

"In all honesty the last few years for me at Southend have been a bit of a waste because I haven't been getting as many games as I would like.

"I haven't been injured for a couple of seasons now and that has made not playing even harder to take.

"I'm not sure what's going to happen when my loan expires in a couple of weeks but if I was to come back to Southend it wouldn't be a problem."

Smith joined the Shrimpers in August 2002 and immediately started to impress in the centre of the park.

He shined in a struggling side but his progress was then halted by a succession of serious injuries.

He suffered a stress fracture of the pelvis, a double dislocated fracture of the ankle and a ruptured Achilles all in the space of two seasons.

But Smith has since climbed off the treatment table - only to struggle to work his way back into the Southend side.

"It was particularly hard this year because we only had three central midfielders so I thought I would get my chance," he said.

"It didn't turn out like that though as the manager opted to play a right back (Lewis Hunt) and then a centre back (Peter Clarke) in there instead of me.

"That's his decision at the end of the day but it was tough to see them playing out of position ahead of me.

"I had to be professional about it though and that's why I wanted to go out on loan to get some games."

Since arriving at Meadow Lane, Smith has made nine appearances.

And he feels he is close to being back to his best.