SOUTHEND United new boy David Stockdale insists he jumped at the chance to be reunited with Chris Powell at Roots Hall.

Stockdale – who has joined the Shrimpers on loan from Birmingham City – played alongside Blues boss Powell while at Leicester City.

And the 32-year-old shot-stopper is pleased to be able to help out his former team-mate.

“I haven’t played many games this season so to come and help out the manager is my pleasure really because he’s such a top guy and he looked after me in his Leicester days,” said Stockdale.

“We were room-mates at Leicester.

“He looked after me there and we’ve always kept in touch.”

Stockdale is set to make his Shrimpers debut against Peterborough United this afternoon.

But the custodian knows he will have just a short stint at Roots Hall in place of the suspended Mark Oxley.

“I know the score, it’s just to help out,” said Stockdale.

“I know Mark Oxley and we spent some time together at Hull, so I wanted to come down.

“I knew it would be a good set of lads because the manager here wouldn’t put a team together he didn’t believe in so I didn’t have to think twice.”

And Stockdale is also keen to enjoy more memorable moments a tRoots Hall.

“I’ve had some good memories at Roots Hall,” said Stockdale.

“My debut for Fulham came at Roots Hall in a friendly and I did really well and then with Leicester, we got promoted at Southend so I’ve got some good memories here.

“Hopefully I can keep that going and basically just help out.

“I’ve not come here to take anyone’s spot or anything, I’ve just come here to help out the club because you’ve got such a wonderful manager and team.”