RYAN Leonard insists he will only be focusing on Southend United's results as he bids to strengthen the Shrimpers push for automatic promotion with a win at Hartlepool this afternoon.

Blues are currently eight points behind third placed Wycombe Wanderers with a game in hand on the Chairboys who travel to table topping Burton Albion today.

But Leonard is only concerned about making sure Phil Brown’s side see off the Monkeyhangers.

“At this stage of the season it’s just about us,” said the 22-year-old.

“There’s no point looking at any other teams and their results. We need to win our games, including today’s one at Hartlepool and only after doing that do I look at the other scores.

“We know it’s going to be tough to get into the top three because we have four teams above us who are very good.

“But we have the players here to definitely be fighting for the top three so we won’t be giving up and it’s another big game for us today.”

The Shrimpers are currently fifth in the table but will be facing a Hartlepool side who have won four of their last five games to work their way out of the bottom two.

And Leonard is therefore expecting a tricky test at Victoria Road.

“Hartlepool are flying at the moment,” said the former Plymouth Argyle man.

“They’ve gone to really struggling to getting themselves out of the bottom two so it will be a very tough place to go.

“But we need to do what we have done in most of our away games this season and we need to try and frustrate them and get the ball down and play.”

Blues will also be heading into the game full of confidence after beating Mansfield Town 2-0 at Roots Hall on Friday.

And Leonard was thrilled to get back to winning ways after last week’s abandonment at Bury.

“It was frustrating after the Bury game and quite strange too with everyone else playing apart from us so it was nice to get back out there on Friday and to win the game was very pleasing,” said Leonard.

“We played really well first half and did what we needed to do in the second to win the game.

“To have another game so soon after now isn’t easy but you just have to deal with it.

“We did all our training during pre-season for moments like this and we will all be ready for the game today.”