Rookie Southend United goalkeeper Daniel Gay is hoping to extend his stay at Roots Hall.

The 19-year-old shot-stopper linked up with Blues for pre-season training in July after being released by First Division Norwich City.

And the teenager, who was given a three-month deal by Southend, is striving to make his stop on the Essex coast a permanent one.

"I think it's gone well for me," said Gay. "I've played more games than I thought I would and I hope I'm convincing the manager that I'm worth keeping hold of."

Gay started Blues' final friendly fixture at Yeovil Town on Sunday - a convincing 3-0 win for the Shrimpers - and never put a foot wrong.

And he admitted his Huish Park experience was a tough test which he was pleased to pass with flying colours. "Yeovil are the hardest team we have faced away from home pre-season and it was important for me to prove I was up to the task," added Gay.

"I thought I played quite well and dealt with what they had to throw at me. But I didn't have too many shots to save because our defence kept out their strikers.

"Yeovil did put me under pressure at set-pieces. They are a big side and were curling their corners right under the crossbar, but I was very pleased with my handling."

Gay was invited back to Roots Hall over the summer after guesting for both Blues' reserves and youth team at the end of last season.

He had spent eight years at Carrow Road and featured on the substitutes' bench for the Canaries. Gay also picked up his first piece of silverware last term with Norwich's reserves.

The youngster kept his cool to save a vital penalty which handed the Norfolk side victory against Reading in the Avon Insurance Combination League cup final.

But now he is fully focused on a long-term future with Southend.

"It was hard to leave Norwich, but in all honesty I was only going to be third choice keeper there," said Gay.

"I needed to get away from Carrow Road to find first-team football and Southend made me feel very welcome from day one.

"I had offers from other clubs who are in higher leagues than Blues, but there are a lot of youngsters here and you know the manager David Webb is going to give you a fair crack of the whip.

"I've got another couple of months left to prove myself now and I'd love to be here until the end of the season. "But I know I've got a tough job ahead of me. The number one at Roots Hall, Darryl Flahavan, is a top keeper and I've also got Mel Capleton breathing down my neck, but I'm up for the challenge."

Blues send a second string to Halstead tonight, kick-off 7.45pm.

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