CONCORD Rangers centre-back Ryan Tafazolli hopes his trial with Southend United can help get him back in the Football League.

The 20-year-old played for Blues reserves in their 1-0 win over Oxford United at Roots Hall yesterday.

And he is keen to return to the professional game having been with Southampton up until last July.

“It’s been good for me at Concord in the last couple of months, but I want to get back in to the league if I can,” said Tafazolli, who came through the Saints’ youth system.

“I broke my ankle and had to have an operation so I’ve been coming back from that and the games at Concord have definitely helped me get fit.

“The manager there was able to sort out coming to Southend and I’ve been training here for a while, which has also been good for me.

“I just hope it can lead to me getting back in to the league because I feel like I’m starting again in the game.”

Tafazolli looked strong at the heart of the back four as Blues triumphed 1-0 thanks to a late strike from Rowan Vine.

The trialist striker tapped home a left wing cross from substitute George Smith in the 89th minute to secure victory for the home-side.

Southend wasted the clearest chance of the first half when the fit again Harry Crawford raced clean through on goal.

But, with just Oxford goalkeeper Wayne Brown to beat, Crawford could only fire wide of the right post.

Anto Flood also came close to scoring after the break when he shot just past the left upright after being teed up by Vine.

Blues also included Ryan Hall in the starting line-up after he requested to play along with former West Ham United midfielder Christian Dailly, who featured on the right wing to improve his fitness.

Southend United: Bentley, Furlonge, Baldwin, Tafazolli, Hall, Dailly (Hyams 65), Ferdinand, Sturrock (Woodyard 67), Crawford (Smith 80), Flood, Vine Subs: Chambers & James-Lewis.