CAV Miley is pleased to finally be playing pain free for Southend United.

The Shrimpers midfielder has come off the bench in the last three games having recovered from the back problem that had previously kept him out since late August.

But Miley had been affected by the injury long before being forced onto the sidelines.

“It wasn’t an impact injury or anything from that game, it was something I had played with for quite a while,” said Miley.

“Even going back to last season there were periods when my back wasn’t right.

“I just tried to manage it the best that I could and try to get through it but there got a point where it was too uncomfortable to play.

“The club thought it was best to get it checked out and the results came back showing it was more serious than what I thought.

“I thought I could keep playing but that wasn’t the case.”

Miley missed 11 matches while injured before returning off the bench in Blues’ 2-0 win against Tamworth in late October.

And the 29-year-old is delighted to be back in action.

“I’m over the moon to back training and back involved,” said Miley.

“I want to get myself back to being fully fit and get myself back playing again.

“I’m feeling a lot better now and a bit more like myself again.

“Hopefully I can keep building up minutes, get myself back fully fit and help out the best I can.”

Miley played the final 15 minutes of the Shrimpers’ clash with Yeovil Town on Saturday.

But he was unable to stop Kevin Maher’s side suffering a 1-0 defeat.

“From the first minute it just seemed dead stop start,” said Miley.

“Some of the decisions and the sending off were a big blow and it’s disappointing because even with 10 men we looked like we could get a draw if not win.

“But we have to go again and start getting our form up again.

“We need a run of games when we’re on top.”

The Shrimper sit 15th in the National League standings ahead of Saturday’s trip to 10th placed Altrincham.

And Miley is seeking an immediate return to winning ways.

“It’s always tough there and they’re a good footballing side but we need to just worry about ourselves at the minute,” said Miley.

“We need to go up there, put in a performance and get a result.”