GUS Scott-Morriss is ready to return for Southend United after recovering from an unwanted Christmas surprise.

Blues right wing-back suffered stomach pains during the festive celebrations which soon led to him having to have his appendix removed.

But Scott-Morriss has now resumed training and is ready to be called upon when required.

"I'm a lot better now," said Scott-Morriss.

"It was a bit of a sticky Christmas and not the one I wanted.

"It was annoying because I felt fit and felt like I was playing alright.

"But it's one of those things you can't really do much about."

Scott-Morris, who joined the Shrimpers in the summer, had started 13 matches in succession before being taken unwell.

And the pains began early on Christmas Day for the 25-year-old.

"It was 5am in the morning and it woke me up," said Scott-Morriss.

"Straight away I knew something was up and it got worse and worse from there.

"I spent Christmas in hospital and I didn't even get Christmas dinner this year.

"I was gutted as well because that's my favourite part!

"I sat in bed and my Christmas dinner was a turkey sandwich and a packet of baked crisps about 11 o'clock on Boxing Day.

" I was in hospital for three nights and it wasn't very nice but you have to do what you've got to do and hopefully there's no repercussions from here."

Scott-Morriss is now back in full training and was helped by the manner of his surgery.

"Everyone I've spoken to has told me keyhole surgery was the best one to have and it meant you can get back going again far quicker," said Scott-Morriss.

"After the first week I felt much better.

" To begin with my body was hurting and you're bed bound for two weeks so it's been tough trying to get your body back running and playing football again."

But Scott-Morriss has enjoyed his return to training.

"Other than my first touch I've been OK," said Scott-Morriss.

"I got back running after getting the OK from the doctor and ever since there's been no pain.

"It's just frustrating because you find yourself out the team and have to get back in there now."

Scott-Morriss missed four matches while on the sidelines and has now seen his attempted comeback put back by a series of postponements, including last week's Essex Senior Cup tie with Braintree Town.

“I like having minutes under my belt and have always benefitted from that,” said Scott-Morriss.

“The cup game at Braintree is a big thing for players not getting minutes.

“It might not be up there with the biggest games of the season but they can go and long way in helping players get a start on the Saturday and in the weeks to come.”

However, the Shrimpers squad will not be short of opportunities to impress during the remaining months of the season which are likely to become quite congested following recent postponements.

“When we had Saturday, Tuesday before in that run we had it really helped us,” said Scott-Morriss.

“Getting those games helped us and hopefully we can repeat that because looking at the fixtures I think it's going to be Saturday Tuesday for a very long time.”