SOUTHEND United goalkeeper Darryl Flahavan is relishing the prospect of returning to the Shrimpers first team at Mansfield Town this Saturday.

The former Woking custodian kept a clean sheet for the Seasiders reserves against a strong Canvey side on Tuesday night.

Flahavan is now expected to replace the injured Bart Griemink at Field Mill having himself recovered from a heel problem.

"I'm not going to sit here and lie and say I've been happy being on the bench lately because I haven't," said Flahavan.

"I see myself as a first team keeper so it's obviously been frustrating but, at the same time, I can't really complain, because Bart has been in decent form and I had been injured for two months."

But the talented shot stopper is now over the injury he sustained during the Blues' convincing 4-1 triumph over Shrewsbury Town in November.

He made his long-awaited comeback in the midweek 1-0 Essex Senior Cup triumph over the Gulls at Roots Hall.

"I needed the game with Canvey and by the end I felt back in the swing of things again," admitted Flahavan.