JOSH Wright is keen to take over spot-kick responsibilities for Southend United at MK Dons tonight - despite missing his last penalty against the same opposition.

Blues have failed to score three of their last four penalties, with Nile Ranger missing their latest effort during Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Portsmouth.

And Wright - who scored four times from the spot for Gillingham last season - is keen to take the Shrimpers’ next opportunity from 12 yards.

“I want to take the penalties and I would like to take the next one,” said Wright.

“I wanted to take the one on Saturday but Theo Robinson had the ball, then Range did and I’m not one to cause a situation on the pitch because there’s a lot of pressure when you take a penalty.

“Range scored one in my first game at Fleetwood so in fairness he deserved to take it if he wanted it.

“We hadn’t really spoken about who was going to take it but I want the next one and I’m putting my name forward.

“We will have to wait and see but of course I would like to take it because I feel confident taking them.”

Wright famously scored a hat-trick of penalties in just nine minutes for Gillingham against Scunthorpe United in March and also netted from the spot for the Kent club against Southend last term.

And the 28-year-old is keen to take more penalties, despite his unsuccessful effort against the Dons in August.

“You will miss a couple but the main thing is being confident,” said Wright.

“Every single penalty taker will miss at some stage, even Lionel Messi, but you have to be confident to go again.

“For me it’s so much in your mind.

“You have to be positive and you can’t change your mind either.

“I’m confident and I would like to take the next one we get and score.”

And Wright hopes that opportunity will come tonight as Blues bid to bounce back from Saturday’s setback.

“We were all very disappointed at the weekend and we’re still feeling it but we have to lift ourselves and stick together to get a positive result,” said Wright.

“We knew this was a big week and we’ve left ourselves more to do now but we have to be in a positive mindset to get a positive result.

“The second half wasn’t good on Saturday but we had chances in the first half and should have been more ruthless because when you’re not you get punished.”