SOUTHEND United manager Chris Powell is backing his strikers to come good for the Shrimpers.

Just one of the 10 goals scored by Blues since Powell’s arrival at the end of January has come from a forward.

But the 48-year-old - whose side host Doncaster Rovers at Roots Hall tomorrow - hopes that is about to change.

“As long as the goals are coming I don’t mind too much who gets them but of course you want your strikers to be scoring,” said Powell.

“The good thing is they’ve had chances and I have full faith they will start to take them, but I want them to feel good about themselves.”

Striker Simon Cox has now gone nine games without a goal, while Marc-Antoine Fortune has netted just once since October.

Recent recruits Shayon Harrison and Freddie Ladapo have yet to net for Blues, but Powell is still pleased by how his strikers have been helping the team triumph.

“They’re putting in the work and the link-up play when we’re attacking,” said Powell.

“Defensively, things start from the front, which they’ve been doing as well, but they will be judged on goals and hopefully they will start to convert the chances they’re getting.”

Those strikers could also be boosted by more involvement from Michael Kightly this weekend.

The fit-again winger came off the bench as a second half substitute against Walsall last weekend and is now pushing for a starting slot.

“Michael has trained all week,” said Powell.

“He was close to starting last week.

“But he’s been integral in what we’ve been doing and the way we’ve been performing to pick up results so he comes into the reckoning.”

And the Shrimpers could also soon be boosted by the return of defender John White.

“John won’t be ready for Doncaster and I doubt if he will be ready for Rochdale, but there’s a very good chance he could be back for Blackpool,” said Powell.

“He’s been one of the first ones in to get on with his work diligently. He’s been doing more than he should do because that’s the type of character he is, but that’s what I like to see.”