JOHNNY Herd is hoping to end four months of frustration by becoming a regular in the Southend United back four.

The left-back has endured a disappointing start to the season after falling out of favour and came close to leaving the club on loan.

But he returned to the starting line-up at Cheltenham Town on Tuesday night for Blues’ 2-0 win and is now aiming to stay in the side.

“It had been a disappointing time for me but hopefully this can be the start of me getting a few more games,” said the 21-year-old. “When I wasn’t in the team I did ask to go out on loan but it was difficult to get a move.

“There was talk about going to Histon or Cambridge, which is near to where I live, but that fell through at the last minute.

“The manager put me back in against Cheltenham though and I thought I did OK.

“It was certainly better than my only other start this season against Crewe because I thought I let myself down a bit that day to be honest.”

FULL STORY IN THURSDAY'S ECHO