SCOTT Malone is aiming to become the latest Wolves left-back to impress on loan with Southend United.

The 18-year-old, who made his Shrimpers debut at Tranmere Rovers, is the third left back in two years to arrive at Roots Hall from Molineux.

And he hopes to do just as well as the previous two, Charlie Mulgrew and George Friend.

“There are a few of us who have come here from Wolves and hopefully I can do as well as they did for Southend,” said Malone.

“I actually spoke to George before coming down and he said it was a really good place to come and play.

“He said he would have liked to have stopped for longer but there was nothing he could do about it and he had to go back to Wolves.”

Since Friend’s return in mid-October, Johnny Herd has been Blues’ first choice left-back but he is now sidelined for three weeks with another hamstring strain.

That allowed the Shrimpers to bring in Malone but he knew nothing about the move until the morning of the Tranmere game and he only met his new team-mates for the first time at the pre-match meal – little more than three hours before kick-off.

“It was all a bit bizarre and I was still in bed when I got the call about Southend,” said Malone.

“I was interested straight away and thought I would be driving down on Thursday to play Saturday but was then told I was playing that night.

“It was strange because one minute I was preparing to play for Wolves reserves the next I was driving to Tranmere.

“But I did google Southend before leaving the house so that I could find out a bit more and they seem to be a great group of lads so I’m looking forward to my time here.”

Malone, who has been with Wolves since the age of nine, also spent time out on loan last season with Hungarian club Ujpest who he helped qualify for the Europa League.

He has appeared five times for England at under 19 level and was voted Wolves’ Academy player of the season.

The youngster now believes another loan spell will improve his game and he is already looking forward to his next game, against Norwich City next Tuesday.

“That will be a good test and I’m excited about making my home debut,” added Malone.