SOUTHEND United goalkeeper Nathan Bishop will be striving to learn more valuable lessons should he be given another chance to shine at Coventry City tomorrow.

Bishop has played the last two games in place of the injured Mark Oxley and kept a clean sheet in Blues’ 1-0 win at Oxford United on Boxing Day.

But the 19-year-old has now set his sights on Coventry and making the most of his next opportunity.

“Growing up as a kid you see big stadiums and think ‘wow, I dream of playing there’ so to play at Oxford was amazing and something to be proud of and it would be the same if I played at Coventry,” said the teenage goalkeeper.

“Coming into the first team has been a massive step up but whatever happens I’ll be taking as many lessons as I can from these games.

“If I go back down to the 23s then it’s still positive because I’ve learnt so much from this.

“But, of course, I would love to play more matches and if I get another chance at Coventry then I would be really pleased.”

Blues - who sit 11th in the League One standings - will also be heading to the Ricoh Arena on a high after seeing off Oxford.

And Bishop particularly enjoyed his own part in the success as he secured the first League clean sheet of his career.

“It means the world to get your first professional clean sheet in the League,” said Bishop.

“It felt amazing and the boys were unbelievable.

“It was different coming away from home but I really enjoyed it.

“It was a big one for us because we definitely needed points so it was great to come away with all three and the clean sheet.

“Hopefully we can do the same on Saturday now.”

Blues go into the game sitting 11th in the standings, level on 32 points with 13th-placed Coventry.

And Bishop has already been impressed with the standard of League One football.

“The first team is much quicker and everyone is much stronger,” said the youngster.

“The experience in the team is different. You have Kights (Michael Kightly) and Turns (Michael Turner) who have played a lot of games and it’s massive to be around people like that.”

Blues hope to have winger Harry Bunn available again tomorrow.