JACOB Mellis is pushing to make his Southend United debut after recovering from illness.

The midfielder has yet to feature for the Shrimpers since signing from Gillingham on transfer deadline day.

But Mellis lined up in a behind closed doors friendly against Sutton United this week and will now be hoping to kick on.

"Jacob Mellis played in the week and has had more training time too," said Molesley.

"He’s available and he hasn’t had Covid which is good but he did display the symptoms so we had to follow the right protocols.

"You don’t take any chances and he’s missed a few days which was a shame because we missed that initial period with him.

"He’s lacking in match fitness which is why we managed to get him because he wasn’t playing as many games at his previous club.

"Unfortunately the illness has put him further behind with his fitness than we would’ve liked but he will be working hard to catch up and it’s more competition for places which is something we haven’t really had this season."

Molesley and the club also confirmed Mellis had been officially registered despite not being listed in Blues' squad on the EFL website.