Southend United's forgotten winger Adrian Clarke wants to win back his place in the Third Division strugglers' first team by proving his worth to new Blues boss Alan Little today.

The Shrimpers chief will be running the rule over the Seasiders' fringe players during a behind-closed-doors friendly with Leyton Orient at Roots Hall this afternoon, and Clarke is hoping to shine.

"I don't want to leave this club and I'm desperate to stay," admitted the 24-year-old fans' favourite.

Clarke has failed to make the Southend bench for the last two months and was recently told by former Blues chief Alvin Martin that his contract would not be renewed at the end of this season.

Yet the ex-Arsenal star believes he can convince new Shrimpers manager Little that he can play a vital part in his first team plans and extend his future at Roots Hall.

"Everyone at the club has a clean slate now and we've all got a chance to prove ourselves to the new boss," Clarke said.

"I want to stay at Roots Hall and earn a new contract, but time is running out fast for me and I need to get back in the first team for the last few games to show what I can do."

If Little needs any reminder of Clarke's undoubted potential, he only needs to look back at last season when he brought his York City side to Roots Hall for a Second Division fixture.

Clarke scored two long-range screamers in an entertaining 4-4 draw, a performance he hopes Little has not forgotten.

"All I want is a fair crack of the whip here, which I don't feel I've had this season, and if the boss remembers my performance against his old York side it might just help," Clarke said.

"I've had a really frustrating time this year, despite starting off well and scoring three goals, and I just want to put it all behind me and look to the future - hopefully playing football with Southend."

Clarke also feels he was treated unfairly by former Blues manager Martin during the last few months.

"I haven't been part of the first team squad for a long time now and I feel I've been made a scapegoat for things that have gone wrong this season," he explained. "All I want is to be involved with the first team squad and help this club."

Adrian Clarke - desperate to win back a place in the first team

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