NATHAN Bishop is relishing his first ever regular involvement at Southend United.

The Shrimpers shot-stopper, who will line up against Doncaster Rovers tonight, has impressed between the sticks since replacing the injured Mark Oxley.

And the 19-year-old is making the most of the prolonged run in the starting line-up.

“The games have meant a lot to me,” said Bishop, who has started Blues’ last nine League games.

“Preparing and focusing on each game has been so different.

“They’ve been exciting and they’ve been difficult but I’ve been so pleased to have been selected and to get the start for these games it means the world to me.

“I hate losing so it’s gutting coming away from a game with nothing.

“But getting a result is massive.

“It’s pleasing it’s exciting and I love it so we want to get a good result tonight.”

Bishop had long been highly rated by the coaches at Roots Hall and had often been invited to attend training sessions for England’s best young goalkeepers.

But the teenager feels he is now benefiting from having a run of games.

“It’s helped me massively in terms of confidence and performances as it’s game after game so it’s giving me something to build on straight away,” said Bishop.

“It’s really nice to be able to put something into work as soon as you find it difficult in the game before, making smaller things tidier and cleaning up grey areas.

“Lee (Harrison) has helped me analyse performances and look at them in closer detail to then take positives into the next game which can help me build again.

“It’s also a relief in a way to feel like you’ve covered any grey areas.”

Bishop produced another fine performance for Blues in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Charlton Athletic.

And the shot-stopper enjoyed lining up at the Valley.

“Charlton for me was different, massively different,” said Bishop.

“I found it a real challenge but it was one I thoroughly enjoyed.

“I knew going there was going to be a challenge regardless but I felt exhausted afterwards!

“All that was important for me was that we took something from the game.

“I thought the boys were fantastic and they worked incredibly hard to protect my goal.

“As a team it was a strong performance and I hope we can build on it for the games to come, starting at Doncaster.”

Bishop will again be looking to impress and follow in the foot-steps of his favourite goalkeepers.

“My hero growing up was Joe Hart,” said Bishop.

“He’s still my idol now, a character and a great goalkeeper.

“I was also a Brentford season ticket holder for a long time so I also liked watching Simon Moore and Ben Hamer when they were there.

“But my main idol was Joe Hart I thought he was fantastic.”