SOUTHEND United striker Simon Cox will be looking to exert his usual attacking influence on Sunday’s crunch clash with Bury.

With 16 league goals and nine assists, Cox has been directly involved in more than a third of the Shrimpers’ goals this season.

But he remains desperate to play a pivotal part against the Shakers as Blues bid to finish the season in the play-off places.

“I’ve enjoyed the season and I’ve been happy with it too but we want to finish it on a high now and do all we can to make the play-offs,” said Cox, who turns 30 today.

“This season, for me, was about playing regularly again and I set myself a goals target too.

“I wasn’t expecting the number of assists I’ve got but I had something like four goals in my first 23 games and ended up having five or six games out of the team.

“When I got the opportunity to play again I pushed further forward and decided I needed to take on more of a goalscoring responsibility.

“I’ve now got 12 in my last 23 games but I’ll certainly be looking to add to that tally on Sunday.”

Cox has also made a habit of netting at Roots Hall this season.

The striker has scored nine times in his last 11 appearances at home and is pleased to be heading into the final day of the campaign with plenty still to play for.

“I’ve had plenty of final games of the season when there’s nothing on the game and it feels like a pre-season friendly that nobody really wants to be at so I’m excited about Sunday,” said Cox, the fourth highest scorer in League One this season.

“We’re going into the game feeling positive and we’ve had a good week with some intense training.

“The last couple of games haven’t gone our way but we’re still in with a chance and we’re making sure we’ve all got smiles on our faces.

“We need to get back to what we’re good at and what’s got us into this position in the first place but that’s only going to happen if we stay upbeat.”

Seventh placed Blues head into the game a point behind Millwall, who currently occupy the final play-off position.

The Lions travel to Bristol Rovers for their final fixture.

But Cox does not want the Shrimpers to get caught up by results elsewhere.

“You never know what can happen during the course of a game and we will need to push right until the very end no matter what is going on elsewhere,” said Cox.

“Things can change very quickly in football and all we should be focusing on is beating Bury.

“Only after that should we worry about other results.”