SOUTHEND United’s Bilel Mohsni has scored three goals in two games as a striker.

But the Frenchman insisted he would rather still be playing at centre-back.

Mohsni netted as a substitute against Bury last Friday and then bagged a brace in Tuesday night’s 4-1 win over Macclesfield Town.

But the 23-year-old said: “I’m a defender and I would rather play there but if the manager wants me as a striker then I’m happy to carry on playing there.

“I’ve played everywhere before in my career and I’m good in the air so maybe I’m suited to playing as a striker, but I’m just happy to play anywhere the manager wants me, even in goal!”

Mohsni opened the scoring against Macclesfield with a left-footed finish from a Ryan Hall cross.

And he then doubled his tally with another well-taken strike.

Mohsni then also had a hand in Blues’ fourth goal as his shot was deflected past Jose Veiga but the goal was credited to Southend skipper Craig Easton.

“I didn’t see it go in so I’m not sure if I can claim a hat-trick though,” said Mohsni. “I’m happy with two goals and it’s very good that we won 4-1, especially because we were at home.”

Mohsni’s double strike helped Southend score four goals in a home league game for the first time since Blues saw off Huddersfield Town 4-1 at Roots Hall in December 2007.

The win pushed Paul Sturrock’s side up to 13th in the League Two table, five points below the play-offs.

Mohsni now wants to close that gap even further and has Barnet in his sights this Saturday.

“We want to get consecutive wins now,” he stressed. “We think we can still get in to the top seven but we have to keep on getting good results, like the one against Macclesfield.”