FIT-AGAIN Ben Coker is desperate to help Southend United see off table-topping Burton Albion at Roots Hall on Monday.

Coker ended a five match spell on the sidelines with a groin problem when he returned to the starting-line for the 2-0 defeat at Bradford City on Tuesday night.

But the 26-year-old is now keen to step things up against the Brewers who have had the better of Blues in recent seasons.

“I actually hate playing Burton,” said Coker.

“They’ve done us a couple of times now, especially in the play-offs so we’ll be up for this one and it’s about time we got one over on them.

“I’m sure we’ll see a reaction from the Bradford game and we want to get back to winning ways.”

Blues were below par when suffering a 2-0 defeat at Valley Parade.

But, despite his displeasure at the result, Coker was delighted to finally be back in action.

“I hate being injured and it’s the worst thing in the world for a footballer so I was really excited to be back out there again,” said Coker.

“It was a great stadium to play at as well but it always hurts to lose.

“Set pieces are costing us but we’re not too far away from getting something going.

“It’s just the fine details but of course it’s frustrating at the moment.”

Blues remain seventh in the League One standings and, despite having lost their last two games, they sit just three points below the play-off positions.

And Coker now wants to step up his come-back by helping Phil Brown’s work their way into the top six.

“To get a run of games is my own aim now,” confirmed Coker.

“As a team we’re good enough to get into the play-offs but we obviously need to start winning games again for that to happen.

“That will obviously be our aim against Burton.”

The Brewers, who have not been beaten by Blues in the last five meetings between the two teams, are currently five points clear at the top of the table.

But Coker cannot wait to take them on pain free.

“I was playing with the injury for quite a while but probably wasn’t playing that well so it’s really good to be playing without any pain again,” said the defender.

“I want to crack on and get back to my best now but I felt really good at Bradford.

“I thought I would feel tired on my first game back but I felt strong and thought I did alright so hopefully I’ll get another chance on Monday.”