Southend United's longest serving player - Julian Hails - today spoke of his relief at finally getting back into Blues' first-team.

The right-sided defender/winger has endured an injury nightmare over the past couple of seasons, following cartilage damage to both of his knees, which has sidelined the 32-year-old for more than a year.

However, Hails made his first-team comeback as a late substitute during last weekend's 3-1 defeat at Mansfield Town, which he hopes will signal a change of luck and a place in Southend boss Alan Little's Third Division plans.

"I only came on for nine minutes at Mansfield, but it was just a relief to get back out there with the rest of the lads and be playing in a first-team game again," he said.

"I've been out of action for such a long time, which has been very frustrating, but I'm feeling good both physically and mentally now and all I want to do is play more games."

Hails hadn't kicked a first-team football in anger since a 1-1 Third Division draw with Rochdale at Roots Hall on October 3, 1998.

The former Fulham schemer underwent surgery on his left-knee following the match and was ready to rebuild his career this campaign, only to injure his other knee in a pre-season practice game against the Royal Bank of Scotland.

However, Hails feels ready to stake his claim for a regular place in Southend's senior squad now, following months of long rehabilitation and two trips to Lilleshall to get him on the mend.

"I'm at the stage now where I need to convince the gaffer that I've got a part to play in the bigger picture here," added Hails, who has clocked up 161 league appearances for the Seasiders.

"I've played more than half-a-dozen reserve matches since October and I feel ready to make the step up to a regular first-team spot, but I've got to catch the manager's eye first, which makes this a make or break period for me."

Hails, though, admitted he was just thankful to be in the position to be challenging for his place with the Shrimpers.

"I had very low spells during my long period of rehabilitation and it does cross your mind at times that maybe your career is over," revealed Hails, who once netted a hat-trick at Leicester City for Blues.

"But I tried to stay positive and kept plugging away and I eventually managed to come through it all.

"Although, I must say that the club have been first-class and given me plenty of time to get myself back on track."

Although, Hails, who still has another year to run on his current Southend contract, admitted he still finds his knees uncomfortable at times.

"I still get a bit of swelling and soreness after I've put myself through a hard work out, but it's something I've learnt to deal with," said Hails, a former Player of the Season at Roots Hall.

"It's not a major problem though, it has just meant reorganising my training schedule and resting up, which I can live with."

Two lucky Echosport readers and a friend will watch Blues' home clash with Swansea City this Saturday free of charge.

Southend based fans, S Beard, of Feeches Road, and J Watson, of North Crescent, both won a pair of tickets after correctly naming Scott Houghton as the Seasiders' scorer at Mansfield last Saturday.

Winning his fitness fight - winger Julian Hails

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