SOUTHEND United winger Zavon Hines insists he is fit enough to start this Saturday’s clash with Bolton Wanderers.

Hines has made three substitute appearances since signing for the Shrimpers.

But, with Stephen McLaughlin injured and Jermaine McGlashan suspended, Hines could be called into the team to take on the Trotters.

And the 28-year-old believes he is now ready to play more of a part.

“It’s up to the manager to decide but I do feel fit and I can definitely start games now if required,” said Hines.

“I’ve been doing double sessions most days in training and my knee is feeling strong too so I’m hoping to my first start isn’t too far away now.

“It would be great if it could come on Saturday because it’s a really big game and one I would love to be a part of.”

Hines faces competition from Luke O’Neill and Ben Coker for a place in the team.

But, if selected, he would be taking on a familiar face as Bolton are currently managed by Phil Parkinson, who signed Hines while at Bradford City.

“It was their manager who signed me for Bradford and he’ll definitely have them well organised,” said Hines.

“I would also expect them to be very hard-working so we’ll have to be ready to work even harder.

“We had a lot of success together at Bradford, getting to the cup final and winning promotion but when my contract finished I wanted to move back home to London.

“Now I’m with Southend though and I want to enjoy more success here.”

Blues head into the game sitting seventh in the League One table, behind Bolton who are currently third.

But Hines believes the Shrimpers have the talent to work their way even higher up the standings.

“With the quality we have in the squad and the individuals we have here I think we should probably be higher than we are but hopefully we will be by the end of the season,” said the former West Ham United wide-man.

“I think if you look at our squad and at Bolton’s then you would see that we have the better individuals, in my opinion anyway.

“But it’s about being a team and hopefully we can all pull together on Saturday to put in a great performance.”

And Blues will be in good spirits for the game having beaten Rochdale 2-1 in their previous outing.

“It was great to get the win at the end,” said Hines, who came on as a late substitute.

“It was brilliant to be part of.

“I was hoping to get on a bit earlier but that’s down to the manager and hopefully I can play more on Saturday now.”