SOUTHEND United midfielder Anthony Wordsworth is relieved to be playing pain free for the first time in several seasons.

Wordsworth - who looks set to start for the Shrimpers against Chesterfield tomorrow - has now recovered from the hamstring problem which forced him to miss the start of the season.

And the 27-year-old is enjoying being back in top shape.

“The last time I was playing pain free was when I was at Ipswich two or three years ago now,” said Wordsworth.

“I had a hamstring injury I played through with Crawley when I went on loan there and was maybe pain free for three or four weeks when coming to Southend which isn’t ideal.

“You can play with the pain but you can’t sprint properly and, as you know, I’m not the fastest player in the world anyway so it was killing me.”

But Wordsworth now feels much sharper and is able to make more of an impact in matches.

“Late on in games I can make runs now that I haven’t been able to do before,” said Wordsworth.

“I felt lethargic and tired in the past when my hamstring was tightening up.

“But I don’t have that any more and touch wood it continues because it’s making a difference and I’m really enjoying it.”

Wordsworth has scored twice in four games since being recalled to the starting line-up and is eager to continue his good form against Chesterfield this weekend.

The Shrimpers head into the game looking to bounce back from last Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at Rochdale.

But the midfielder insists Blues - who are 22nd in the table - are remaining positive despite their current predicament.

“The spirit is surprisingly good and you wouldn’t have thought it would be like that after Saturday’s defeat,” said Wordsworth.

“But the only thing you can do after a defeat like that is to bounce back so we’re looking forward to tomorrow.

“Our home form is good and we’re getting results so we’re staying positive ahead of the Chesterfield game.

“All is not lost and I still believe we can have a positive season with the squad we’ve got here.”