SOUTHEND United defender Harry Kyprianou is pushing to be fit for the start of pre-season training.

Kyprianou, who has been out since November with an Achilles injury suffered at AFC Wimbledon, is reluctant to set an exact date for his return.

But the former Cyprus under-21 international is hopeful he may be able to join in with the rest of his team-mates when training resumes in July.

“At the moment things are going well and, assuming everything continues to progress smoothly, I expect to be there or thereabouts when pre-season starts next month,” said Kyprianou.

“But, at the same time, as much as I’d like to be able to set an exact date for my return, I think that would be counter productive.

“What I need to achieve most is a full recovery before I can think about returning.

“That’s what we are working on at the moment but progress is being made all the time.”