SOUTHEND Saxons’ centre Sonny Gay is ready to return from a knee injury for tomorrow’s meeting with Barnes at Warners Bridge.

Gay missed Southend’s last game at Old Elthamians a fortnight ago.

But he now looks set to be back in action this weekend as the Saxons kick off what could prove to be a huge month in their season.

“I had a bit of knee injury and where I’ve been out for so long with other injuries my body has really been feeling it,” said Gay.

“But having a couple of week’s rest has been really good for me and I’m ready for Saturday’s game now which is the start of an important run for us.”

Southend head into this weekend’s game sitting ninth in the standings.

But Gay is hopeful of improving that position by the end of November with three of Saxons’ next four games being at home.

“This month is huge for us and we have set ourselves a target for the next four games,” said Gay.

“If we get what we’ve set out then we will be in a very strong position going into December and possibly push on for a top four spot.”

However, eighth placed Barnes arrive in Southend having won their last four games.

And Gay is therefore expecting another tricky test.

“It’s a tough game this weekend because Barnes are one spot above us they have had some good results,” said Gay.

“We will need to switch on for the full 80 minutes to get a result.

“But, after a bit of a break, we’re all a bit fresher and we’re ready to kick start the next part of the season.”

Southend’s director of rugby Chris Green is also keen for that to happen and wants his team to start picking up more points.

“We’ve had a good start to the season but we do feel as though we should have had another seven or eight points,” said Green.

“But this is a really big month coming up for us and we want to start it with a win this weekend.”

However, Southend will have to make do without Kris Chesney this weekend as the back row forward misses out with an Achilles injury.