SOUTHEND United striker Blair Sturrock hopes to be fighting fit when he faces his former Swindon Town side on Saturday.

The 30-year-old, who made his first start of the season last weekend after recovering from an ankle problem, played 66 minutes for the reserves in their 1-0 defeat to Luton Town at Roots Hall yesterday.

And he is sure that will help improve his match sharpness.

“I think the plan was for me to play for the reserves to get a bit fitter having been out for so long and hopefully it will do me good for the Swindon game on Saturday,” said Sturrock.

“I feel quite tired at the moment but will hopefully be fresher by the end of the week because it would be nice to be involved against Swindon.”

Sturrock spent two and a half years with the Robins, scoring nine goals in 57 games and he is looking forward to heading back.

But he knows Blues will have their work cut out to pick up the points at the County Ground.

“I enjoyed it at Swindon and it was a good time because we won promotion,” said Sturrock.

“There are a few weird and wonderful things going on there at the moment as well so it should be an interesting afternoon.

“However, it will also be a difficult one because they’re a good team.

“They will be in good spirits after beating Rotherham but we played well against Northampton, despite drawing, and will need to do so again on Saturday.”

Sturrock was unable to stop Blues’ second string losing yesterday though as a 17th minute deflected free-kick from JP Kissock handed Luton all three points.

Southend should have equalised shortly after the only goal of the game but Kyle Asante could only head Teddy Nesbitt’s left wing cross over the North Bank net from six yards.

Blues did slightly improve in the second half, with Harry Crawford failing to convert after being teed up by Jemal Johnson before Asante saw an effort ruled out for offside.

With 69 minutes on the clock, Crawford sent a back post volley off target, before Luton goalkeeper Lewis Kidd kept out Southend substitute Seedy Njie late on.

Southend: Bentley, Artemi, Coughlan, Gilbert, Nesbitt, Asante (Agyakwa 66), Timlin, Stevens (Paxman 75), Johnson, Crawford, Sturrock (Njie 66) Subs not used: Chambers & Auger