SOUTHEND United centre-back Luke Prosser wants to carry on the form he found last season when the Shrimpers kick off the new League Two campaign at Accrington Stanley tomorrow.

The 26-year-old centre-back excelled at the heart of the Blues back four last form until injury and the arrival of loanees John Egan and Jakub Sokolik forced him on to the sidelines.

As a result, Prosser was not selected in the starting line-up after the end of January and made just two short substitute appearances in the final four months of the season.

But, with the loan players having now departed and, with his fitness now restored, the defender is desperate to again impress.

“I’m desperate to get in that team and start playing again,” said Prosser.

“Last season I felt I was doing alright until I got my injury and the two boys came in on loan.

“To be fair to them they did really well and I couldn’t really complain about not playing.

“Of course it was frustrating but hopefully I can be in the team tomorrow and can help us get a good result.”

Prosser still managed to make 31 appearances last season and also netted for the Shrimpers in a 1-1 draw at Accrington last December.

The defender, who is about to enter his fifth campaign with the club, has netted two of his five Southend goals against Stanley.

And he is keen to improve his record in front of goal this season.

“I should really score a few more goals and that’s another target of mine this year,” said Prosser.

“It was nice to get the goal at Accrington last season but I seem to remember it was a disappointing performance.

“Accrington is always a tough place to go but we’re probably going there at a good time when the pitch is nice and it’s important we get off to a good start.”

Prosser will do battle with Cian Bolger, Mads Ibenfeldt and Adam Thompson for a place at centre-back and manager Phil Brown faces several other selection dilemmas, especially in attack.

However, midfielder Michael Timlin remains unavailable after dislocating his elbow during the pre-season friendly at Tottenha, Hotspur.