ELVIS Bwomono hopes to be given the opportunity to help Southend United rock Doncaster Rovers this weekend.

The 18-year-old right-back impressed on his return to the Shrimpers starting line-up against Reading under-23s in the Checkatrade Trophy on Tuesday night.

And the youngster would now love the chance to help an in-form Blues side record a fifth successive victory.

“I was very pleased to help the team get a clean sheet against Reading and it would be great if I could stay in the side but that’s going to be down to the manager,” said Bwomono.

“I was happy with the clean sheet on Tuesday because as a defender it means you’re doing something right and it’s the second time I’ve got one in the first team.

“But I also enjoyed being able to get forward and I came close to scoring a couple of times.

“It would’ve been great to get my first goal but I’ll have to keep on trying.”

And Bwomono would relish a return to the score-sheet having not netted for the Shrimpers since playing for the under-16s.

“It’s been a little while since I scored so it would be nice to get one,” said the defender.

“It’s been nearly three years but I’m more concerned about helping the team get good results if I’m honest.

“Hopefully I can do that on Saturday but I know there is a lot of competition for places.”

Bwomono’s recall against Reading came after Jason Demetriou was selected in the Cyprus squad for their forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against Greece and Germany.

And the defender was determined to impress after being left out of the side following an impressive start to his spell in the first team.

“There are ups and downs in football but you just have to work through them,” said Bwomono, who has made five senior appearances this season.

“When you’re out of the team you need to work even harder than when you’re in it and I’ve been doing that to make sure I feel on top of my fitness.

“I felt good on Tuesday and it was great to get my first win in the first team.

“Everyone in the team has been doing really well lately and hopefully we can keep that going against Doncaster on Saturday now.”