CALLUM Powell is keen to keep on reaping the rewards of his hard work at Southend United.

Powell scored a hat-trick for the Shrimpers at Canvey Island on Tuesday night to take his pre-season tally to four goals in two games.

And his bright starts follows a summer packed full of training for the 26-year-old.

“I had a break and followed the guidelines from Stef (Russo) our strength and conditioning coach but I’ve worked hard too,” said Powell.

“I had a performance coach who worked on my power, strength and agility and a football coach where I worked on my finishing technique.

“I was doing that four times a week throughout the off season and worked really hard.

“I’ve come back and I feel really good fitness wise.

“I’ve worked a lot on my finishing and that’s four goals in two games now.

“I know it’s only pre-season but as a striker it’s nice to get off the mark.”

Powell was on target for the Shrimpers at Kings Langley on Saturday before scoring three times as a second half substitute at Park Lane.

But he remains determined to impress.

“I’m a very motivated, passionate and enthusiastic person and I always want to prove to myself more than anyone that I can do well and achieve good things,” said Powell.

“When you work hard and you come back in and you’re flying in the fitness tests and scoring goals straight away it goes to show you always reap the rewards of working hard.

“There’s no stopping either and I’ll keep working hard.

“It worked for me last year and I scored 14 goals by December but I want to beat that tally this time around and I feel like I’ve had a better off season too.”

Powell has certainly been clinical in pre-season so far and scored twice from the penalty spot in Blues’ 7-0 win against Canvey.

"I missed the last one at the end of last season but you get the first one and then you’re confident to step up again," said Powell.

"A big part of scoring goals and wanting to get to 20 goals a season is being on penalties.

"People think it’s an easy job but you have to put the ball in the onion bag."

That has not been a problem for the Shrimpers in their warm up fixtures and Powell has also been impressed by those lining up alongside him.

"The lads who have come in and have been superb and I think we look really dangerous on the attack," said Powell.

"There’s competition for places and everyone is chipping in but it’s just the start."

Blues will now continue their preparations with a trip to Kettering on Saturday.

And Powell is looking forward to facing his former side.

"I enjoyed my time at Kettering, it’s a great club and I wouldn’t be here now if it wasn’t for them giving me the opportunity in the first place," said Powell.

" It will be good to see some old faces and hopefully it can be another good game."

Powell joined Blues from Kettering in January.

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