SOUTHEND United striker David Mooney believes he has yet to find his best form for the Shrimpers.

Mooney, who is close to returning from an ankle injury, has hit the back of the net seven times so far this season.

But he has been left frustrated by his form.

“It’s been disappointing for me in front of goal,” said Mooney.

“Hopefully next year I’ll come back bigger and stronger and show the fans what I’m really all about.

“I’ve enjoyed my first year here compared to last year at Leyton Orient when we struggled a lot.

“But I’m trying to get that consistency in my game.

“We’ve had injuries which have seen the front men chop and change a lot until Jack [Payne] and Tyrone [Barnett] became a recognised pairing and that’s something I would like with whoever next season.”

Payne has now overtaken Mooney as the Shrimpers’ top scorer – with nine goals – but a player has yet to reach double figures for Phil Brown’s side this term.

Blues have also failed to score in their last two matches.

But Mooney was keen to defend his fellow strikers.

“In games it can be labelled at frontmen that they haven’t taken their chances but when I look at them, from the stands, I’m not sure if we’ve created an awful lot if I’m honest,” said the 31-year-old.

“There are always two sides to every story and I wouldn’t just sit there and say bad things about our finishing in front of goal.

“The boys here have all scored goals throughout their careers wherever they’ve been.

“But for me it was pleasing we created chances against Oldham on Tuesday and hopefully that can keep on happening because if we do then we’ll score more regularly.”

Mooney hopes he will soon be able to get on the end of the opportunities himself.

The striker has missed the last eight games with an ankle problem he picked up in training.

But he was delighted to be back in training yesterday.

“It’s nice to have got back out there because it’s been a tough few weeks for me,” said the Irishman, who has been out of action for seven weeks.

“I was on the end of a mistimed tackle in training but it’s just one of those things that happen and there’s nothing you can do about it.

“The staff have been brilliant to me and I’ve been working so hard that it’s felt like pre-season again.

“But hopefully I can feature again before the end of the season and I’m sure the physio Ben [Clarkson] will be keen to get rid of me too because I’m probably annoying him by now.”

Blues gave just three matches of the campaign remaining, starting at Wigan Athletic this weekend.

Mooney is not sure whether or not he will be fit enough to face the Latics.

But he is still keen to finish the season on a high as the 13th placed Shrimpers attempt to end the campaign in the top half of the table after a recent loss of form.

“Hopefully we can finish as high up the table as we can and get some good results in the games we still have left,” said Mooney.

“At times we’ve played some good stuff this season but after 46 games you end up finishing where you deserve to be.”