SOUTHEND United striker Emily Pert has started a GoFund Me page in a bid to quicken her return from a serious knee injury.

Pert requires reconstructive surgery after suffering a cruciate ligament injury.

And the 23-year-old is hoping to generate enough funds to be able to have the operation done privately.

“With long waits on the NHS I have decided to take the private route in an attempt to get my day to day life back to normality and get back onto the pitch as quickly as possible,” said Pert.

“Recovery time for this type of surgery is one of the longest in sport and pushing this through via the private route will ensure my return as quickly as possible.”

Pert has been playing for the Shrimpers for the past seven years having joined at the age of 14.

But she has been unable to feature this season “I suffered the injury in mid-July this year playing football,” said Pert.

“It’s been a long, and mentally challenging journey, particularly when it comes to having to watch from the sidelines every week, and this being my foreseeable future.”

However, that extends to away from football too “This injury has completely altered the way I live day to day, especially with my job as a PE teacher,” said Pert.

“Teaching practical lessons and being on my feet 10 plus hours a day brings physical pain and mental challenges.”

And that has ultimately led to Pert opting to try and secure the support needed to seek private medical care.

“Having the Go Fund me will help fund private surgery meaning I can have the operation sooner and get back to teaching and doing what I love, with specialist support,” she added.

To donate towards Emily's operation click here