ADAM Thompson is backing Southend United to surge in to the automatic promotion places once they find their top form.

The defender is available again for this evening’s clash with Burton Albion at Roots Hall after completing a one match ban.

And Thompson wants tonight’s encounter to be the start of a more consistent run for the Shrimpers.

“We need and want to get rid of this inconsistency in our play, starting with the Burton game tonight,” said the 22-year-old.

“We want to end the win three, lose three run we keep having and we want to be at our best for longer.

“In the last few games the fans have been saying we haven’t been playing that well, even when we’ve been winning.

“But when we do start performing like we can I’m sure we will get in to the top three places needed for automatic promotion.”

Blues head in to the game sitting eighth in the League Two standings after winning four of their last five league games.

However, last time out they were thrashed 4-1 at table topping Wycombe Wanderers.

Thompson missed the match through suspension after accumulating five yellow cards.

But he is now desperate to get back in to the team and resume what he feels has been a successful season for him so far.

“I think it’s been going well when I’ve been playing this year,” said the former Watford defender.

“We’ve generally been winning games when I’ve been playing which is the main thing I’m happy about and I’m hoping that can happen again tonight.”

Blues will be without left-back Jerome Binnom-Williams for this evening’s encounter as he starts a three game ban for the red card he was shown at Wycombe.

Thompson is in contention to replace him but the fit again Ben Coker and John White, who has now fully recovered from an illness, are also pushing recalls.

And Thompson knows it will be tough to make the team.

“I’m hoping to get my place back but Ben Coker is back again now too so there’s real competition for places,” said Thompson.

“With Jerome out the defence will change but we can’t use that as an excuse. We play alongside each other in training every day so it isn’t really a problem.

“We just need to be solid, like we were before Wycombe and we want that defeat to be just a blip in our season.”