SAM Mantom will continue to play through the pain for Southend United.

The composed midfielder has started the last two games for the Shrimpers despite suffering with a back problem.

And the 26-year-old is determined to keep on digging in for Blues.

“I don’t want to miss any games because this is a big season for me and I need to try and help the team as much as I can because we want to put things right,” said Mantom.

“I would always try and get through it if I could and that’s what I’ve been doing.”

Mantom - who joined Southend on a permanent basis in the summer - has started all seven of the Shrimpers’ League One games so far this season.

But he has taken to the field for the last two games short of full fitness and did not even train in the build-up to facing Charlton Athletic.

“The week leading up to Charlton I didn’t kick a ball until the warm-up,” said Mantom.

“I did a little bit more last week before the Peterborough game and it will be similar this week training Thursday and Friday I would think.

“My back is slowly getting there but it’s not been great the last week or so.

“We have good physios here and the manager understands that so we’re just trying to get myself ready for the big games.”

And Mantom has been forced to do that since suffering the injury in the first half of Blues’ 1-0 win at Bristol Rovers at the end of August.

“I landed right on my coccyx,” said Mantom.

“It’s all bruised and locked up and pretty sore.”

Despite that, Mantom has been able to continue in the centre of the park.

But he is keen for the Shrimpers to pick up more points from their positive performances.

“We’ve had some in-house chats and we can’t keep saying we played well when we haven’t got any points,” said Mantom.

“We’re looking to put that right. Performance wise everyone can see we’ve been good but it’s a results based business.”

And Mantom is therefore determined to triumph at Shrewsbury Town on Saturday.

“It’s always tough at Shrewsbury and it always seems to be windy but we need to go there and do what it takes to get the win,” he added.