LUKE Prosser feels a defensive shortage during Southend United’s pre-season schedule has helped him to form an impressive partnership with Adam Thompson.

The duo, who have kept three clean sheets in their last four games, lined up alongside each other in a number of warm up matches as Phil Brown took his time to recruit defensive reinforcements.

But Prosser now feels that could well have worked in Blues’ favour.

And he hopes the defensive record, which is currently the joint best in the division, can help the Shimpers end their Morecambe hoodoo this weekend.

“Tommo and I played together in pre-season quite a lot and that certainly helped when it came to us playing alongside each other again in the last few games,” said Prosser.

“We’ve been able to keep a few clean sheets and hopefully we can get another one on Saturday.

“We’ve not done too well against Morecambe in the past but hopefully we can change that.

“I would imagine they will be coming here to try and make things difficult for us.

“But we’re doing well at the moment having won our last four games and we would fancy our chances against anyone in the league right now.”

Blues have failed to win any of their previous six league meetings with Morecambe, suffering one defeat and being held to a one draw.

However, Phil Brown’s side did win against them in the FA Cup last season.

And Prosser is keen to secure more of the same at Roots Hall this weekend.

The defender, who is the only ever present in the Southend side this season, has impressed in recent weeks.

And he is loving being back at the forefront of the action after enduring a frustrating end to last season when injuries and the form of loanees John Egan and Jakub Sokolik forced him to the sidelines.

“It took me a couple of games to get back in to it but it’s been going OK for me this season,” said Prosser.

“I wanted to carry on playing the way I was until I got injured last year and I’ve been able to do that.

“It’s still very early days though and there’s a long way to go but hopefully we can carry on our good form.”