SOUTHEND United new boy Stephen McLaughlin felt his abandoned debut should never have got underway at Bury on Saturday.

The Irish winger went straight into the Shrimpers’ starting line-up after signing on loan from Nottingham Forest.

But the game last just six minutes due to the shocking conditions which McLaughlin felt should have stopped the game even starting.

“I was really looking forward to making my debut after coming in on loan but the game should never really have started to be honest,” said McLaughlin.

“The pitch was terrible and we could see that in the warm up. You couldn’t pass the ball, it was getting stuck and you just couldn’t play any football on it at all.

“Unfortunately it was just never going to happen out there and the referee made the right call in the end.”

However, the match being called to a premature conclusion does give McLaughlin more time to settle in with his new team-mates ahead of Friday’s game with Mansfield Town.

And he cannot wait to take on the Stags.

“I literally only trained once with the lads before the game and we didn’t really do much because it was the day before the game,” said McLaughlin.

“It will be good to train with them all a bit more before we next play against Mansfield and I’m sure that will help me.”

McLaughlin is also keen to make a good impression with the Shrimpers.

And he revealed he opted to make a switch to Roots Hall in favour of moving to League One as Phil Brown’s side still have plenty to play for during their run in.

“I had a few clubs interested in me but this was the best option because the games here will mean something,” said McLaughlin, who spent time on loan with Notts County earlier in the season.

“There’s a lot to play for and I thought this would be a good challenge. The manager also really wanted me, I spoke to him a lot and when a manager wants you like that it’s hard to turn him down.

“I want to play every game and I want to help push this club further up the table to cement the place in the play-offs.

“This move appealed to me the most and hopefully it will go better than it did on Saturday.”