SOUTHEND United midfielder Josh Wright will have his Shrimpers contract extended if he starts at Rochdale tonight.

Echosport understands a clause in Wright’s original deal means he will be given an extra year when he makes his 20th start of the season outside of the Checkatrade Trophy.

Wright - whose current contract expires at the end of the season - could reach that landmark if he is selected in the starting line-up at Spotland this evening.

And the 28-year-old is determined to triumph in the rearranged encounter.

“I would’ve missed the first game because I was still injured but when you have late postponements like we have done recently it’s the fans you really feel for so we want to win it for them tonight,” said Wright.

“Obviously we also want to win for them but we know they will be taking days off work to come and cheer us on and it’s the second time many of them will have made the trip so we’re desperate to give them something to shout about.”

Wright is also keen to play a prominent play in the clash having now fully recovered from a hamstring injury he suffered in late December.

The midfielder started for the first time to being forced to the sidelines when he played the full 90 minutes against Doncaster Rovers on Saturday.

And he is now keen to build on his comeback display.

“I want to build on that now and really start to kick on here,” said Wright.

“I was out for a long time in the end and it was tough because I hadn’t ever suffered that before.

“To start off with on Saturday it was tough and maybe the pace of the game caught me out for the first 20 minutes or so.

“But I felt better the game went on and that’s a good sign.

“Obviously we wanted the three points but we got a clean sheet and moved up a place too so we’re staying positive.”

Blues will head to third from bottom Rochdale tonight sitting in 13th place. However, Wright feels the League One table counts for little when determining the outcome of games.

“Anyone can beat anyone because it’s so competitive,” said Wright.

“Rochdale are a strong side, they’ve won two in a row and will be tough to beat.”