Southend United's teenage striker Trevor Fitzpatrick is hoping to recover from a troublesome groin strain in time for Saturday's Roots Hall clash with Carlisle.

Fitzpatrick, who has scored five goals this season, has missed the last three league games through injury.

However, the 18-year-old is desperate to get fit so he can win his place back in the side and attempt to fire Blues up the Third Division table.

"I'm hoping to play some part in the Carlisle match, but it all depends on how things go in training this week," said the young gun.

"The groin is still very sore and I haven't been able to test it on the training field yet.

"I've had to just take it easy and keep visiting the physio room for ultra-sound treatment to help it heal.

"But I'm hoping to start running today which will put my groin under a bit of pressure and tell me how far away I am from making a first team comeback."

The injury came at the wrong time for Fitzpatrick who had just won his place in the first team and was starting to find form in front of goal.

"Picking up this injury has been very frustrating for me as I had forced my way into the starting line-up for the first time since I've been here," he explained.

"During my first team run I felt that I was beginning to form a good partnership up front with Barry Conlon and I'd started to score a few important goals.

"But I'll soon be over my injury problems and I'm determined to win my first team place back straight away so I can help the lads start firing again."

This week Fitzpatrick signed a one-year extension to his present Roots Hall contract, which runs out at the end of this season, and he would love the chance to celebrate the new deal by getting one over Carlisle.

"My memories of playing against Carlisle aren't happy ones," he said.

"I made my full league debut at Brunton Park as an apprentice last season and we got hammered 5-0, although I did hit the post.

"Then earlier this term we got beaten again 3-0 up there and I came on as a substitute.

"It would be nice to gain revenge against Carlisle and hopefully I'll be fit enough to get on the pitch and have a go at them."

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