SOUTHEND United’s Anthony Wordsworth has expressed his joy at reaching double figures for the season.

Wordsworth’s goal in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Port Vale saw him become the first Blues central midfielder to score 10 times in a season since Nicky Bailey in the 2007/08 campaign.

And Wordsworth has been delighted by his form in front of goal.

“My target at the start of the season was to try and get to 10 goals and I’m really happy that I’ve been able to do it,” said the 28-year-old.

“I missed the first 10 games of the season with my injury so I’m over the moon to have been able to get to double figures.

“They’ve come in 28 games so on average I’ve scored every 2.8 games which I’m pleased with.

“But I’ll definitely be looking to try and get another four or five goals before the end of the season.”

Wordsworth’s latest strike made sure of a share of the spoils for the Shrimpers against Port Vale.

But the midfielder was far from happy with his own display.

“I thought it was a very disappointing performance for myself and as a team we were very poor,” said Wordsworth.

“We certainly weren’t at our best but there’s no point dwelling on it and we just have to make sure we do much better in the games we have coming up.”

The draw saw the seventh placed Shrimpers slip four points off the play-off positions.

And Wordsworth is desperate to narrow that gap with a win against Bristol Rovers this weekend.

“It’s a big game for us but it’s a very difficult one too,” said the midfielder.

“Bristol Rovers are only three points behind us in the league table so they are also going for the play-offs but I think that will help us.

“They won’t be sitting in, it will be a real slog and I can’t wait.”