HARRY Phillips is determined to make this his breakthrough season at Southend United.

The 23-year-old has long been highly rated by the coaches at Roots Hall but has yet to take that talent into the first team.

But, after impressing in Saturday’s season opener at King’s Lynn, Phillips is eager to maintain his place in the Shrimpers’ midfield.

“Every season is really important but at the age I’m at I really need to stake a claim and become a regular on the team sheet,” said Phillips.

“Saturday was a really good team performance and I was pleased to play a part.

“We had a game plan and we executed it well.

“But it was really nice to get the three points in front of the travelling fans who were class and now we have to make sure we build on it.”

Phillips played the full 90 minutes as Blues bagged a 1-0 win at the Walks.

But the midfielder, who came through the ranks at Roots Hall, was a slightly surprising starter after enduring a difficult pre-season campaign which saw him test positive for coronavirus.

“Pre-season was a weird one for me,” said Phillips.

“I’d built up a really good block of fitness but was then struck by a positive covid test.

“It was hard isolating at home for 10 days but I tried to keep as active as I could at home to get my fitness.”

Phillips returned to feature in the final few pre-season fixtures and the ball-playing midfielder is keen to keep on developing the physical side of his game which caught the eye on Saturday.

“The National League will be tough physically,” said Phillips.

“It’s important that you first you compete and then let your qualities shine through so that’s what I’m looking to do.”

Phillips wants that combination to ensure he soon adds to the seven first team matches he has managed so far.

And he is determined to bounce back from last season’s disappointment which saw the Shrimpers suffer a second relegation in a row.

“Obviously last season was horrendous for the club and me,” said the Wickford based Phillips.

“I missed a lot of football and was so eager to help but for some reason that didn’t happen.

“But now we’re looking ahead and just want to work as hard as we can as a group and see where that takes us.”