SOUTHEND United winger Stephen McLaughlin will continue his comeback from illness when the Shrimpers’ under 21 team take on AFC Wimbledon this afternoon.

The Irishman was sidelined for three weeks by a virus which left him struggling to move.

But the 25-year-old is now back in business and will be bidding to prove his worth against the Dons.

“It’s good to be back after a few weeks out with a virus and hopefully I’ll get another 90 minutes in the game today,” said McLaughlin, who also lined up against Luton Town last week.

“I feel like myself now and I’m ready to go again.

“I want to put all this behind me and move on so it will be good to get another game in.”

McLaughlin, who ended last season on loan with the Shrimpers, returned to Roots Hall on a permanent basis from Nottingham Forest in late August.

But, after just three substitute appearances, he was forced to the sidelines with a nasty virus which completely wiped him out.

“Physically and mentally it just drained me and I couldn’t do anything,” said McLaughlin.

“I went home for four days to recover which was good of the manager to allow.

“But it was all quite nasty and it took a lot out of my muscles.

“I was aching in places I had never ached before and I was just lying there.

“Thankfully it’s all over and done with now though so I can think about football and trying to get back into the first team.”

However, working his way back into the plans of Phil Brown could prove tricky for McLaughlin as Blues have triumphed in five of the six games during his absence.

And the winger knows he will have to fight to force his way into the team.

“The boys have been unbelievable in the last few weeks and that’s great,” said McLaughlin.

“I’m sure they will see I’m back now and will be thinking well he won’t be getting my shirt so they will want to keep going.

“But all you can do is your best and stake a claim for a chance so hopefully I can play well today.”

McLaughlin is also expected to be joined in the starting line-up for the Final Third Development League Cup clash by Kevan Hurst who has now recovered from the knee injury he picked up in late August.

Adam Thompson will also continue his comeback from a shoulder injury and seems set to be joined in the starting line-up by Jack Payne.

The match kicks off at 1pm.