HENRY Sandat is staying at Southend United until the end of the season.

The 18-year-old striker returned to the Shrimpers from Hull City for an initial month long period.

And Sandat will now be at Roots Hall for the remainder of the National League campaign, much to the delight of Blues boss Kevin Maher.

“I’m delighted and he’s delighted as well,” said Maher.

“He's a great lad and he's done well.

“He's played up there with Brook (Kabongolo) and Maz (Vilhete) who aren't natural centre-forwards and he's had chances in every game he's played too.

“He's got a goal so we're pleased to have got it done and it adds competition to the area where we were short before.

“Now we've got decent cover which is good.”

Sandat came through the youth system with the Shrimpers and scored once in 12 games before moving on at the end of last season.

The former Eastwood School pupil was unable to sign a new deal with his hometown club due to a transfer embargo and eventually opted to join Championship club Hull City.

However, after starting the season with the Tigers’ under 23 team, Sandat came back to Blues in December and has scored one goal in five games.

He will now do battle with Marcus Dackers, Harry Cardwell and Danny Waldron for a place in the starting line-up as the Shrimpers look to work their way up the National League standings.

After three postponements in succession, 12th placed Blues head to table-topping Chesterfield this weekend