SOUTHEND United midfielder Gary Deegan wants to repay manager Phil Brown for saving him from the footballing wilderness by winning promotion with the Shrimpers this season.

Deegan has revealed he would have returned to Ireland and played part time had he not joined Blues back in August.

But the tigerish 27-year-old is now enjoying his football more than ever before and is desperate to achieve his first promotion in England.

“I’ve never been happier in my career, the manager really backs me and what I’m about and it would be great to get promotion with Southend,” said Deegan.

“If I hadn’t have joined the club then I would’ve gone back home to Ireland and played part time which is really not what I wanted to do.

“That’s why I’m so passionate to do well for this football club and I want to play a part in this club getting back to League One where it’s definitely ready to be.”

The Shrimpers are currently fifth in the League Two table, five points behind the automatic promotion places.

And Deegan does not want them to end the season with any regrets.

“I know there was heartache last season when the club lost in the play-offs and we don’t want or any excuses either this time,” said the Irishman.

“We don’t want hard luck stories, we want promotion and we’ve set ourselves a points target which we will be keeping in house to make sure it happens.

“We have 14 matches remaining and it’s in our own hands for us to be promoted, despite the last couple of games.”

Blues have been beaten in their last two outings, losing to both Accrington Stanley and Stevenage.

But Deegan is desperate to play a part in Southend getting back on track after returning the starting line-up at the weekend following a five game spell out of the side.

“I hate not playing and, just like anybody else, I want to be out there helping the lads,” said Deegan, who initially lost his place in the team after being red carded at Oxford United.

“I’m pleased to be back in there now and it’s up to me to make sure I stay there.

“Saturday was disappointing because we fell apart at the end but we’ve trained well so far this week, everyone looks sharp and we can’t wait to get back out there at the weekend against Carlisle.”

Deegan also hopes there will be plenty to celebrate against the Cumbrians.

The midfielder’s antics following Barry Corr’s penalty which put Blues 2-1 up at Stevenage on Saturday have become an internet sensation among Southend’s fans.

And Deegan now wants more to sample more memorable moments with the Shrimpers.

“I think it’s important to celebrate goals and make the supporters part of it because we’re all in it together,” said Deegan.

“I’ve seen the pictures of me at the weekend and hopefully we can have even more to celebrate in the matches we have left.”