SOUTHEND Saxons slumped into the National Two South relegation zone after suffering a 50-7 defeat at Taunton on Saturday.

The setback was Southend’s sixth in succession.

But flanker Adam Ferrier, who has now returned to the club, is certain Saxons will be able to work their way back up the table.

“We’re all confident that we're going to get out of trouble,” said the 27-year-old.

“We have been in darker places than this and we have a few players that are back from injury this week which will put us in good stead.”

Ferrier hopes to play a key part in helping Southend stay up and is enjoying being back at the club.

The flanker opted to stop playing at the end of last season but has now been persuaded to return by the club’s director of rugby Chris Green.

“My return came around after a run of injuries in the team and a conversation with Chris asking to come back for the remainder of the season,” said Ferrier, who has now played in the last three games.

“It has been tough coming back in as well.

“I had been keeping myself fit but being match fit is a different kettle of fish.

“However, this was my third week back in and I’m getting back into the swing of things now.”

Despite the result at the weekend, Southend scored first with scrum half Jack Daly touching down for a try which was converted by Brad Burr.

But fourth-placed Taunton roared back to leave the visitors empty handed.

And Ferrier feels Southend, who are now two points from safety, are struggling to come to terms with their lengthy injury list which has seen several senior players forced to the sidelines.

“The matches so far have been frustrating to say the least and we have had a lot of injuries which has left us to pick players who are very young,” said Ferrier.

“They’re a lot less experienced than the players they are replacing but we just have to crack on and look to bounce back in the Worthing game this weekend.”

Southend Saxons: Billings, Filson, Ashton, Vaughan, Bolton, Burr, Daly, Strachan, Bloomberg, Bailey, Chesney, Smith, Ferrier, Shields, Twight.

Replacements: Bevans-Royston, Day-White, Needham, Hoadley & Adams.