SOUTHEND United’s on loan striker Britt Assombalonga is back in training and could return for tomorrow’s clash against Oxford United at Roots Hall.

The 20-year-old has missed six of Paul Sturrock’s side last seven games with the ankle injury he sustained against Dagenham & Redbridge on Boxing Day.

But the forward finally hopes to figure again this weekend.

“I’m raring to go and hopefully I can play a part on Saturday because I’ve really missed playing football and being out on the pitch,” said Assombalonga, who has scored 12 goals so far this season.

“The injury has taken a while to get better, partly because it was something I’ve done before and spent three months out with.

“It’s been a long time and a frustrating one but I’m now gradually working my way back to full fitness and can hopefully be involved against Oxford.”

However, with Gavin Tomlin scoring at Chesterfield last weekend and Barry Corr netting five goals in his last five games, Assombalonga knows he may find it hard to work his way back in to the starting line-up.

“The manager might not want to change it and I don’t blame him at all,” said Assombalonga, who returned to his parent club Watford to get treatment on his injury.

“I’m just going to keep working hard this week in training as it’s my first week back and hopefully I can just be involved in some way to help the team get a good result.

“Oxford are another strong side though and we lost to them at the start of the season so we know it’s going to be tough.”

But Assombalonga remains confident of picking up a good result and feels certain Blues can maintain their push for promotion.

“We’re all confident that we can now push on and go for automatic promotion,” said Assombalonga.

“We believe as a squad we’re good enough to achieve that so now it’s all about doing it.”

“The atmosphere is still the same as when I first joined the club and before I got injured which I think says a lot and we want to get on another good run of results to stay up towards the top.”