NATHANIEL Jarvis wants his loan spell at Southend United to help him secure a future in the professional game.

The 18-year-old, who is with Blues for at least the next month from Cardiff City, is still a youth team scholar with the Bluebirds.

And he is desperate to earn himself a new deal by impressing while with Paul Sturrock’s side.

“I’m in the final year of my scholarship with Cardiff and I am looking for a professional contract so this is a big deal for me to try and do that,” said Jarvis.

“Hopefully the manager there, Dave Jones, will keep an eye on me and I can impress him.”

Jarvis made his Blues debut as a late substitute for Blair Sturrock in Saturday’s 3-1 win at Hereford United and he is now hungry for more first team chances, starting with tonight’s game at Gillingham.

“We have seven games during my time here and hopefully I can be involved in as many as possible,” said Jarvis.

“I was really happy to make my debut against Hereford and I would love to be involved from the start this evening because I haven’t started a game yet this season.

“But I do need to get to know the team because I only met them at the hotel for the first time on Friday.”