AMADOU Ba is determined to make the most of his chance with Southend United - starting with tonight’s League Cup tie with Newport County.

Ba missed Saturday’s League One opener against Blackburn Rovers after a delay in him receiving international clearance.

But the 19-year-old Frenchman has now been given the green light to line up for the Shrimpers and hopes to be given an opportunity to shine this evening.

“I’m always ready to play and would like to play in this game,” said Ba, speaking through team-mate Marc-Antoine Fortune as a translator.

“I’m happy to be here as English football is more physical and more exciting.

“Marco has been helping me to settle and I’m pleased to be playing here.”

Ba - who was given a two-year deal after impressing boss Phil Brown while on trial - will be in the squad for this evening’s tie.

And Fortune is also enjoying linking up with a fellow Frenchman.

“It is as though Amadou is my son but I’m making sure I look after him,” said Fortune.

“He’s young and he’s leaving his family to come here so I think he will need time but it’s good to have him here and to have him helping the team.”

But Fortune will also be keen to keep on impressing after playing well in Saturday’s 2-1 win against Blackburn Rovers.

“It was important to get the first win, so I’m happy,” said Fortune.

“Last year we missed out because of a bad start and hopefully we won’t make the same mistake this year.

“Beating Blackburn was good but now we have to keep it going.”

Shrimpers chief Brown shares that aim and confirmed Ba would be in his squad for this evening’s encounter.

“Hopefully Amadou will play some part against Newport to see if he’s up to scratch to play first team football,” said Brown.

“It’s always a risk bringing in a young lad but I hope the education he’s had in France will be good enough to play first team football here.

“One or two lads are trying to speak French to him but it’s a bit like watching Del Boy in Only Fools and Horses so Marco is playing a big part at the moment.”

The Frenchmen often featured together in pre-season but Brown has yet to decide who to select against Newport.

“I haven’t chosen my team just yet,” said Brown.

“We do have players who need a game like Rob Kiernan and Stephen McLaughlin but I’m not sure how many changes there will be yet.”