Steven Hammell is feeling a little achy tonight, if not relieved to have finally returned to action.

The Blues defender played his first 90 minutes for Southend this season during their 4-2 reserve team win against Grays Athletic this afternoon.

Having been sidelined for the past five weeks with an ankle injury, the Scot came through today's game at Roots Hall unscathed.

And now he is targeting a return to action in League One with Steve Tilson's side.

"It felt good, my general fitness was OK but I felt a little bit rusty with the ball," Hammell told Blues World today.

"I wasn't expecting to play the full 90 minutes but I'm happy to have got it under my belt.

"My ankle is aching a little bit, it was sore towards the end of the match with a couple of the tackles, but generally I am pleased.

"It was really enjoyable, the game didn't go the way we planned at the first but I still enjoyed being amongst it even though it was only a reserve game.

"There isn't a reserve game for a while now so I will have to get myself fit in training and give the manager a decision to make."

United ran out winners thanks to hat-trick from Charlie MacDonald and a strike from Leicester City loanee Eric Odhiambo.