SOUTHEND United’s on loan striker Britt Assombalonga is desperate to hit the back of the net against Port Vale tomorrow in order to avoid the longest goal drought of his career.

The 19-year-old has now gone four games without working his way onto the score-sheet.

And Assombalonga is out to stop making it five for the first time ever by scoring in Saturday’s showdown at Roots Hall.

“Trust me I’m counting how many games I’ve gone without scoring so I don’t need to be told and I want to put it right against Port Vale,” said Assombalonga, who has only ever gone four matches without a goal once before in his career.

“I’m focusing on just making sure I’m working hard because I keep on doing that then I’m sure I will get my rewards.

“All strikers go through these kind of spells and then when you get one you get on another run and start scoring regularly again.”

“That’s what I’m hoping for, starting with Saturday, but as long as we win I don’t really mind who scores.”

Despite Assombalonga’s recent drought he remains Blues’ top goalscorer this season with nine strikes to his name.

And he also wants to rediscover his scoring touch to fire Paul Sturrock’s side in to the race for promotion.

“We’re just outside the play-offs at the moment and want to close the gap,” said Assombalonga.

“Port Vale will be a hard team to play and in Tom Pope they have a striker who can’t stop scoring.

“But we’ve won our last two now and we want to get another good run going.”

Southend go in to the game sitting 12th in the League Two table, while Port Vale are second.