Tamika Mkandawire's delight at returning to Southend United tempered by draw with Torquay United (From Echo)

Tamika Mkandawire's delight at returning to Southend United tempered by draw with Torquay United

1:49pm Sunday 17th March 2013 in Sport By Chris Phillips

TAMIKA Mkandawire's delight at returning to Southend United was tempered by Torquay United securing a share of the spoils at Roots Hall on Saturday.

Mkandawire went straight back in to Blues' starting line-up after completing a month long loan switch from Millwall just before the game.

But he was disappointed to start his second spell at the club with a 1-1 draw against the struggling Gulls.

“I'm very happy to have come back to Southend but to begin with a draw with very disappointing, especially as I felt as though we deserved the three points,” said Mkandawire, 29.

“We had most of the possession in the first half but gave away a sloppy goal and then couldn't take the chances that came our way.

“That made for a frustrating afternoon but I'm looking forward to being involved in trying to do better in all of the games we have coming up.”

Mkandawire previously spent two months on loan with Southend earlier on in the season, making 12 appearances during the team's best spell of the campaign.

All of those displays came in midfield but he was forced to figure at centre-back against Torquay and enjoyed reverting to his natural position.

“I've played at defence more throughout my career and it had been a while since I'd played there so it was enjoyable going back there,” said Mkandawire.

“It was good playing alongside Bilel Mohsni who is clearly a very talented player but I probably do enjoy playing in midfield a bit more because you're more involved.

“I don't really mind where I get selected though because I just want to be playing.”

Mkandawire will have plenty of opportunities for that to happen during his latest stint at Roots Hall as Blues have seven more matches to play before he has to return to Millwall.

And Mkandawire hopes his second spell can be just as successful as his first.

“Hopefully results can go well and we can sneak our way back in to the play-offs.

“That's the main aim and the final of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy is just a nice bonus.

“But I am disappointed I'm unable to stay until the end of the season.”