SOUTHEND United manager Mark Molesley has heaped praise on Mark Oxley ahead of the goalkeeper's 150th game for the Shrimpers.

Oxley will reach the landmark when Blues travel to Grimsby Town this weekend.

And Molesley has been impressed by the shot-stopper ever since taking charge at the start of the season. 

"Mark has been fantastic ever since we first walked through the door," said Molesley.

"His appetite to train is fantastic and he always wants to improve.

"He’s 30 now but he still comes in like a spring chicken and still wants to hare around that goal."

Oxley has kept four clean sheets in his last six outings and Molesley feels the goalkeeper is benefitting from his work in training. 

"I have to give massive credit to my goalkeeping coach Joe Prodomo for the work he’s done with Mark and they’ve struck up a great relationship," said Molesley.

"We’re bearing the fruits of that now but it’s all built on hard work on the training ground.

"Mark is getting pushed all the way by Harry Seaden too and it really is a strong department for us.

"The way Mark plays is down to his hard work in training and how hard he’s being pushed by Harry as well.