FREDDY Eastwood wants his loan spell at Canvey Island to help him fulfil his long-term ambitions at Southend United.

The 18-year-old is enjoying his first taste of first team football at the Gulls. And Eastwood is keen for lining up for the Islanders to help him at Roots Hall.

“I’d like to stay at Canvey for as long as they want me to and get some goals but my main aim is still to get in the first team at Southend,” said Eastwood.

“I’m enjoying it at Canvey and it’s something different for me too. It will benefit me and I’m learning to take the whacks as it’s about being a man when you play first team football.”

Eastwood is looking to follow in the footsteps of his father, of the same name, who remains a legend at Blues.