NILE Ranger insists he is fit and ready to fire Southend United up the League One table.

Blues are currently 22nd in the standings.

But, having now recovered from an ankle injury, Ranger is desperate to help the Shrimpers get their season back on track.

“We need points and I want to help us get them,” said the 25-year-old.

“My ankle is feeling proper nice again and I’m buzzing to be back.

“I was pleased to get 40 minutes at Rochdale at the weekend, even though the result was very disappointing.

“But now I feel ready to start and I hope I will at the weekend against Chesterfield because it’s a big game for us.

“I’m ready to run myself into the ground for Southend and I’m so hungry to play.

“God willing, I won’t suffer any more injury problems this season and I can repay the faith the manager and the club have shown in me.”

Ranger returned to action as a second half substitute in last weekend’s 3-0 defeat at Rochdale having spent seven weeks on the sidelines with an ankle injury sustained on his debut at Sheffield United.

And Ranger is delighted to have now returned to action.

“It’s been a huge frustration not being able to play and watching the games not being able to do anything to help,” said the former Newcastle United striker.

“But I’ve kept my head down and worked really hard to get back as quickly as possible.

“The manager has been on at me and I’ve done lots of work with the physio too.

“My ankle does sometimes feel a little bit stiff in the morning but we’re working on it and it’s feeling strong again.”

As a result, Ranger is now in contention to start against Chesterfield at Roots Hall on Saturday.

And the striker is desperate to open his goalscoring account for the Shrimpers by netting his first goal since firing home for Blackpool at Leeds in November 2014.

“I cannot wait to score my first goal for Southend, it’s going to be a really nice moment,” said Ranger.

“Hopefully it will come on Saturday and it can be the winner as well.

“I’ll have to celebrate by pulling my lip out to show my tattoo or by running to the physio.

“I’m not sure what I’ll do just yet but winning on Saturday is really all that matters.”