Southend United boss Paul Sturrock will lead his side out for their first league game against Stockport County tomorrow.

The Scotsman has been in the Roots Hall hot seat for just over a month now.

In that time he has assembled a brand new squad, making 17 signings, and now he is looking forward to getting down to work against the Hatters.

"Stockport are a solid team with some good players so we will have to show them the respect they deserve," said Sturrock.

"This is a very difficult game to start the season with but we want to get some points on the board as quickly as we can because winning can become a habit.

"We only won once during pre-season and we want to get a victory in the league as soon as we can because the longer you have to wait the more it eats away at you."

Several of those new faces are already familiar to Sturrock having worked with the 53-year-old previously.

And the ex-Plymouth and Sheffield Wednesday manager admitted it was a 'no brainer' in recruiting some of his former players.

"It was a no brainer to go for some players I already knew because they won't take as long to settle in as they know what I want," explained the Scotsman.

"We're all in this together but I've enjoyed it as football is a drug to me. I had five weeks of sitting at home twiddling my thumbs before coming to Southend and I'd much rather be doing this than painting walls or sorting out my garden."

One of those former players linking up again with Sturrock is Plymouth Argyle left-back Chris Barker.

Barker, along with Peterborough United midfielder Josh Simpson, agreed loan deals at Roots Hall on Thursday.

And Sturrock is pleased to have brought them both to Roots Hall.

"I'm happy that we have managed to sort out bringing them in," said Sturrock.

"Peter Gilbert has had a tough time with injuries and we didn't want him rushing back before he was ready so we've brought in Chris for a period which is good.

"We're also pleased to have signed Josh too."

Sturrock has also added French midfielder Adam Bouzid to his squad in time for him to figure against Stockport.

Sturrock will be without winger Ryan Hall tomorrow as he has an outstanding suspension from being with Bromley last season, whilst Peter Gilbert is also unavailable with an ankle problem.