FREDDY Eastwood insists he is in shape to rediscover his best form for Southend United this season.

The striker figured more regularly after Phil Brown replaced Paul Sturrock in charge towards the end of the previous campaign.

And, after working hard throughout the summer break, Eastwood is confident he can again become a consistent goalscorer for the Shrimpers.

“I have a manager now who will play me when I’m fit and I’m already feeling in good shape,” said the 29-year-old.

“My weight is down, along with my body fat percentage, and my knee is feeling good too.

“Last season I had an operation on my knee which meant I didn’t have much of a pre-season and I came back out of shape too.

“But I’m feeling good this year and I’ve shown in the past that when I’m in this kind of condition I will get goals, so that’s my own aim for the season ahead.”

Eastwood was a huge success during his first spell with Southend, scoring 65 goals in 135 games to help the club win two promotions in a row.

He joined Wolverhampton Wanderers for £1.5million in July 2007 and also spent four years with Coventry City before coming back to Blues, originally on loan, in March 2012.

But, last season, Eastwood made just six starts before Sturrock was sacked in late March and he ended the season with just four goals to his name.

However, he is certain that both Blues and himself will be far more successful this time around.

“I think Phil Brown can push us on to promotion this season,” said Eastwood.

“I’m really looking forward to it and I’m enjoying my football again.

“Pre-season has been going really well and we’ve been combining plenty of ball work with all the running we’ve been doing.

“It’s been hard work, but it’s an important time of the year, especially for myself, so it’s good to get through and it sets us all up for the matches ahead.”