Midfield schemer Nigel Pepper has thanked Southend United boss Alan Little for giving him the chance to resurrect his football career at Roots Hall.

Now the 31-year-old, who has joined Blues on a three-month loan deal from Scottish Premier Division outfit Aberdeen, aims to pay the Seasiders chief back by helping rekindle Southend's Third Division promotion dream.

"My football has been disrupted by ankle and cartilage problems over the past 12 months and it's just great to be playing again," said Pepper, who starred in Tuesday's 1-0 victory at Torquay United.

However, the tough-tackling central midfielder revealed he could have opted to join a First Division club, believed to be Walsall, instead of throwing in his all at Southend.

"I'd been out of the first-team picture at Aberdeen and as soon as I knew Alan was interested in taking me to Southend I promised to join him in the south," Pepper revealed.

"A First Division club came in for me at the same time, but I had already spoken to Alan, who I know from my York City days, and I stuck to my word by coming to Roots Hall for three months.

"I was grateful to him for showing faith in me and I hope I can repay Alan by helping Southend climb the table during my time here."

Pepper was also quick to dismiss his bad-boy image, which has followed him around north of the border, following three sendings-off in 14 league appearances for Aberdeen.

"I'm not a dirty player at all," said Pepper, who was given a red card after just 45 seconds against Glasgow Celtic for clattering Scotland international Paul Lambert after coming off the substitutes bench.

"It's like playing in a goldfish bowl at Aberdeen because they are such a big club in Scotland and I got some bad press from people following my dismissals, although I've got some good friends up there who tried to tell my side of the story as well.

"I'm a footballer and if the ball is there to be won I will go for it and make a tackle, but I never try to intentionally foul anyone."

Pepper also added he would not rule out a permanent switch to Roots Hall if everything goes well during the next few months.

"I'm here to help Alan and we've made a good start," said Pepper, who has featured in a draw and a victory for the Shrimpers so far.

"For me personally it is just great to be playing football again and all the lads, some of who I know, have made me feel extremely welcome.

"But there's a long way to go and we'll see where we are again in three months time when my loan-spell is up."

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.