SIMON Cox knows Southend United must step up to the plate to maintain their League One status.

Blues head to Blackpool tomorrow sitting 13th in the League One standings, just four points above the relegation zone.

And Cox is desperate to get the Shrimpers back on track.

“It’s been tough for us but we need to step up now and get the points we need to make sure we can stay in the League,” said Southend’s top scorer.

“We can look to push on again next season but this season isn’t over yet and we need to get more points.

“It’s not getting any easier and we have two tough away games coming up, starting with Blackpool on Saturday.

“But we’re looking forward to it.”

The Shrimpers have not won in their last seven games.

But Cox feels Chris Powell’s side could benefit from playing their next two matches on the road.

“Potentially, it might be better for us that we’re away from home as we’ve been getting more points on the road than at home recently,” said Cox, who missed out on the League One player of the month award to Sunderland’s Aiden McGeady.

“There’s a lot of travelling coming up but we just have to get on with it.”

Cox is again the only fully fit senior striker for the Shrimpers this weekend.