SOUTHEND United skipper Timothee Dieng is determined to end a tough week in triumph.

Members of the Shrimpers squad have yet to receive their wages for December along with the club’s backroom staff.

But Dieng is focusing on his football and is desperate to get back to winning ways when Tranmere Rovers visit Roots Hall tomorrow.

“It’s been very hard for us with the results we’ve had but we have to keep going and keep working hard,” said Dieng.

“It’s been difficult and I can’t really go into that side of things but we’re professional footballers so all we’re thinking about is preparing for Saturday’s game.”

Blues go into the game having not won in 15 League One outings.

The Shrimpers last success came at MK Dons back in September and Sol Campbell’s side are now 15 points from safety.

Tranmere sit immediately above the second from bottom Blues in the table but have 12 more points.

And Dieng is keen to close that gap.

“We can’t give up but we have to look at it one game at a time and do all we can to win it,” said the Frenchman.

“We’ve had a few draws lately and we do feel as though the performances have been improving.

“But we need wins and to do that we need to perform for the full 90 minutes.

“We can’t just do it for 45 or 60 minutes it has to be the whole game and we want that to happen against Tranmere.”

The game will be Blues’ first since drawing 1-1 at AFC Wimbledon on New Year’s Day.

And manager Sol Campbell is looking to build on that point.

“We have to continue working hard and doing the right things,” said Campbell.

“We need everyone chipping in and we have to keep working as a team.

“We can’t take our foot off the pedal and we have to keep on giving 100 per cent to see where we can get to.

“We have to get our headers and block tackles in at the crucial moments and when we do get a chance to kill the game off we have to kill the game off.

“Tranmere are a great side and I’ve played them before so we have to be ready.

“It’s another important game and we have to keep going and get over the line.”