ENGLAND and Essex star Alastair Cook has backed his team and housemate Mark Swampy' Pettini to lead Essex out of their current doldrums.

Essex have struggled in recent months, winning just one of their last 14 competitive matches in four and one-day cricket.

The poor run of form has coincided with Pettini's appointment as county captain following the retirement through injury of former skipper Ronnie Irani.

During that time, Pettini's own form with the bat has also dipped alarmingly, resulting in the 23-year-old opener missing out on a place in England's Twenty20 World Cup squad.

However, despite his county side's tribulations, England opener Cook believes it will not be long before both Pettini and his charges get it right.

"I obviously speak to Swampy a lot because we live together and are very good mates," said the 22-year-old, who has himself been earmarked as a future England captain.

"He's really enjoying the challenge - yes it's tough - and these months are preparing him for what's going to happen next year when he will have had the whole winter to realise what's been happening.

"This tough time will make the successes a lot better when they come."

Cook highlighted the losses of Irani, Darren Gough (to captain Yorkshire) and Andy Flower (to coach England) as the major reasons for Essex's current struggles.

The trio have left a largely inexperienced team behind at the Ford County Ground and, as a result, Essex have struggled to perform in the past two months.

"I think if someone had said just before the season that your team was going to lose a lot of people, you wouldn't have to be a rocket scientist to say that you can't replace 3,000 first-class runs a year just by snapping your fingers," said Cook, whose England duties have severely restricted his Essex appearances.

"When you lose Ronnie, Andy and Goughie, no side just carries on where they left off, but with a brand new captain this is a very exciting time to be an Essex player.

"This side is the side it will have to be for the next six or seven years.

"It's a tough time now but these times will make success in the future so much better."