DEVON born Ryan Leonard is desperate to help Southend United see off his old rivals, Exeter City, at Roots Hall this weekend.

Leonard grew up playing for and supporting Plymouth Argyle.

But it is trying to get the Shrimpers back on track which now means more to the midfielder.

“Exeter are from my neck of the woods and it was a bit of derby when I was down there with Plymouth but it’s just another game now,” said the fit-again 22-year-old.

“It’s a massive three points that are at stake so it’s a game we need and want to win.

“But I don’t think I’ll be getting any stick from the Exeter fans because they probably won’t even know who I am.”

Leonard hopes to also help Blues get back to winning ways after they were beaten in their last two games.

The midfielder, who was the club’s player of the year last season, came off the bench at Luton Town last weekend having missed the previous three matches with a hamstring injury.

But, after lining up against Ipswich Town in a development team friendly on Tuesday, Leonard now feels ready to play more of a part.

“The hamstring feels good again,” said Leonard.

“An injury like that is your mind as well because when you’re one the quicker players you tend your hamstrings a little bit more.

“However, I’ve got back to full strength now and it was nice to play near enough the full 90 minutes against Ipswich.”

Leonard faced the Tractor Boys at right-back and could be forced to line up there again this weekend if Luke Prosser (calf) and Cian Bolger (concussion) both fail late fitness tests.

But Leonard is not concerned where he is picked to play.

“I’ll just be happy to start and I don’t mine where in the team the manager wants me,” said Leonard.

“I want to try and kick start my season and we want to get the Luton defeat out of our system.

“It wasn’t a great result or performance but for me personally it was nice to get back out there.

“But we have to go into Saturday now and make sure we put that Luton game behind us.”