SOUTHEND United striker Charlie MacDonald will step up his push for a place in the Shrimpers starting line up when he visits his former Crawley Town side tomorrow.

The 26-year-old forward enjoyed two successful seasons with the Conference club he joined in 2003.

And MacDonald hopes his return to the Broadfield Stadium will also signal a return to the scoresheet.

"I think this game will be the last chance for some of us to try and impress the managerial staff before the start of the season, so of course I shall be looking to put in a good performance," said MacDonald.

"I have been pleased with my all round game so far but all that is missing is the goals.

"I haven't really had many chances yet if I'm honest but once they come my way I think I'll take them.

"I'm feeling sharp and think I'm peaking at the right time, so hopefully I can get on target at Crawley, where I have quite a good record of scoring."

MacDonald helped the Red Devils work their way into the Conference by winning the player of the season award as Crawley claimed the Southern League title in 2003/04.

And he then helped them survive at that level by bagging 10 goals in 27 starts the following year.

MacDonald also scored for Gravesend & Northfleet - now renamed Ebbsfleet United - at the Broadfield Stadium in a 1-1 draw last year.

And the forward is confident he will receive a good reception from the Town faithful.

"I've been back to Crawley a couple of times and have always been welcomed," he said.

"It would be nice for it to be the same on Saturday because I enjoyed my time there, but playing well is what matters the most.

"I'm not sure if the manager and Brushy have made their minds up yet about the team to play Leyton Orient on the opening day.

"But other than Matt Harrold none of the strikers have got many goals and we are all fighting for that place."

Billy Paynter, Gary Hooper and Lee Bradbury are also battling to be picked and MacDonald feels the competition can only be good for the club.

"It's the way it should be," he said.

"I think everyone should be fighting for their positions all over the park because it means no-one can relax when they get the shirt.

"They have to keep on producing the goods as they know other people are waiting in the wings to replace them."

Blues will be boosted at Crawley by the return of defender Peter Clarke and midfielder Alan McCormack tomorrow and assistant manager Paul Brush think it will be another good test.

"It's just the game we needed after playing West Ham and Vitesse Arnhem," he said.

"It will be more similar to what we will be up against in the league and it's a nice little ground there."

Brush also confirmed that the club could bring in a striker to "look at" next week.

Southend United (from): Flahavan, Gilbert, Clarke, Barrett, Hammell, Black, Maher, McCormack, Gower, Harrold, Hooper, MacDonald, Paynter, Bradbury Hunt, Liptak, Wilson, Campbell-Ryce, Collis, Bailey and Moussa.