Crocked Southend United striker Neil Campbell has been using his summer holiday to fight his way back to fitness.

The 22-year-old hitman, who joined Blues from Scarborough for £15,000 last season, has been continually plagued by injuries ever since he made the switch south to Roots Hall.

However, Campbell is hoping his summer work out will pay off by helping him recapture the form he knows he is capable of.

"Ever since I joined Southend I've been injured or suspended - it's been an absolute nightmare," said the big frontman.

Soon after joining the Shrimpers last January, Campbell was harshly red carded for violent conduct during a Third Division clash at Rotherham United and missed three games through suspension.

Campbell didn't return to Blues' starting line-up until April, during which time he hit two goals at Leyton Orient during a 3-0 away success for the Seasiders, but his season was brought to an abrupt end by a groin strain before the end of the month.

The luckless forward was then told he would have to undergo a double hernia operation, which he recently had in a Hartlepool hospital.

"Hopefully this is the end of my problems now and I can get my Southend career back on track," added Campbell.

"I had to cancel my holidays this summer so I could concentrate all my efforts into getting fit for the start of the new campaign.

"Already, I've been doing a lot of stretching and strengthening exercises and I've started to step up my routine this week by running around Southend's streets.

"I won't be able to report back for full pre-season training with the rest of the lads on Monday, because I'm still a week behind them in my preparation, but I aim to catch up as soon as possible."

Campbell, who played for Blues boss Alan Little at his former club York City, wants to claim a first team place at the start of the season.

However, the front runner knows he faces stiff competition from the six other forwards - Alex Burns, Barry Conlon, Trevor Fitzpatrick, Neville Roach, Neil Tolson and David Whyte - who are currently on the Roots Hall books.

"We've got so many strikers here, but I'm confident in my ability and hope to grab a place in the gaffer's starting line-up," said Campbell.

"The boss has just brought Neil Tolson to Southend, who I've played with at York, and I'm sure we could strike up a good partnership this season.

"Southend's fans haven't seen the best of me yet, but once I regain my full fitness I aim to show them just what I can do by getting among the goals and helping us win promotion."

Winning his fitness fight - Southend United striker Neil Campbell

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