Southend United's forgotten central defender Leo Roget today spoke of his frustration at being left on the sidelines as Blues falter in Division Three.

The 21-year-old, who missed most of last season with a back injury, is currently fighting back from a hamstring strain, but has only played three games this season.

However, Roget believes he is only a week away from full fitness and is ready to answer the call of Blues boss Alvin Martin and help the Shrimpers climb up the table.

"I'm desperate to get back in the first team and play football again," he said.

"I've had problems with injury and at times my mental attitude towards the game hasn't been right, but that's all behind me now and I want to start playing football for Southend United again."

Last season Roget was invited over to Holland for a trial with Dutch giants Feyenoord, but returned to Roots Hall and was persuaded to sign a new three-year contract by Martin.

However, Roget, who went through the youth ranks at Southend and has played nearly 50 league games for them, is now being targeted by Second Division strugglers Lincoln City.

They want to sign him on loan to ease their own defensive crisis, despite Roget getting himself red carded for a professional foul in a reserve team game for Lincoln against Huddersfield Town earlier this term.

It is a move which the defender would welcome if he is not part of Southend boss Martin's plans.

"We haven't got a reserve side and if I'm not involved with the first team here I don't want to be standing around clicking my heels and would rather go out on loan to another club," Roget added.

"Things couldn't have been worse for me last season when I was injured for nearly nine months and had to watch from the stands as Southend were relegated to the Third Division.

"It's so hard to watch your team-mates struggle when all you want to do is get out there and help them, but you can't and you have to suffer on the sidelines.

"We'll just have to see what happens, but at this stage of my career I need to be playing football on a regular basis."

Leo Roget - wants a taste of the action for Southend United

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