SOUTHEND United starlet Jack Payne will activate a clause in his contract should he make 10 league starts this season.

The 19-year-old has bagged four goals in his last five outings.

And Echosport understands if Payne starts six more league games before the end of the current campaign then his contract will immediately be extended for a further year.

Payne has already started four times for the Shrimpers in League Two this term and he hopes to now be able to impress this weekend against Shrewsbury Town at the club’s academy day.

“I think it’s a really good idea and hopefully all the younger lads will be inspired by watching the first team and wanting to get there themselves,” said Payne.

“I’ve been lucky enough to have gone from the youth team to the first team at Southend and there’s a really good success rate of bringing players through here.

“Even if they don’t make it for us they have gone on to play elsewhere and I also think you’re more likely to get a chance at a club like Southend.”

Payne came to the Shrimpers after being released by Tottenham Hotspur.

But he feels young players can often have their progress halted at the top clubs.

“At Premier League clubs they have about 30 or 40 players and it’s really difficult to get a chance,” said Payne.

“At Southend there’s a clearer path up from the youth team and I think it’s much better for your development to playing in league matches.

“That’s certainly something I want to keep on doing and hopefully I can help the team get another good result against Shrewsbury.”

Blues’ academy day is aimed to give supporters a chance to find out more about the work being done with the club’s young players.

Before the game, youngsters from the academy will be out on the pitch in the four corners of the ground before all the players will be paraded around the pitch at half-time.

The Shrimpers’ set up received category three status last summer following their EPPP audit.

And the club’s chief executive Steve Kavanagh hopes fans will turn out in big numbers this weekend to show their support for the youngsters.

“We have a fantastic youth academy at Southend United which deserves the recognition and support of the fans at Roots Hall,” said Kavanagh.

“Last season it was a great day that really raised the awareness and we aim to do exactly that again this season.

“This day gives us an opportunity to celebrate the work being done while also giving supporters the chance to see just how big and impressive our Youth Academy really is.”