SOUTHEND United centre-back Luke Prosser has spoken of his relief at forcing his way back in to the Shrimpers starting line-up to avoid a repeat of last season’s frustration.

Prosser was a regular starter during the first half of the previous campaign before failing to start the final 21 games of the season following the arrivals of both John Egan and Jakub Sokolik on loan.

The defender feared the current campaign was heading the same way after eight games out of favour.

But the 26-year-old returned to the starting line up against Carlisle United on Saturday and is now desperate to stay in the side for tonight’s clash at AFC Wimbledon.

“It was a bit frustrating not playing and it did seem as though it was going the same way as last year so it was good to get back in,” said Prosser.

“I’ve got my place back now and I’m looking to keep it.

“I thought I had quite a good game at the weekend and I was pleased with how it all went.”

Prosser’s start was his first since he was sent off in the closing stages of Blues’ 1-1 draw at Northampton Town at the start of the January.

However, he had no complaints about having to wait for so long for a recall.

“If the boys are doing then well you can’t grumble and Jerome (Binnom-Williams) did really well, especially when you consider he hadn’t really played there before,” said Prosser.

“You have to keep training hard and wait for a chance but I want us to get promotion and if that meant the boys kept winning and that I didn’t play then so be it.

“It wouldn’t do me any favours from a selfish point of view but we all want to get the club back in to League One.”

With that in mind, the fifth placed Shrimpers will be seeking another three points when they head to AFC Wimbledon tonight.

And Prosser is determined to come out on top having already suffered two defeats “They beat us in the JPT and the League so we need to do them,” said centre-back.

“It should be a good game but this is a really big week for us with Wycombe coming up as well so we need to get another good result.”

But, for that to happen, Prosser will need to find a way to keep the powerful Adebayo Akinfenwa quiet.

“He’s tough but I’ve played against him a few times now,” said the defender.

“I know his game plan and you just don’t want to end up in a fight with him!”