Southend United midfielder Marc Laird has revealed his delight after returning to first-team action in last week's 3-0 win over Mansfield Town.

The 27-year-old had been on the sidelines for 10 weeks with knee and foot injuries, but returned to action in the League Two clash at Roots Hall.

Laird told the club's official website: "It was brilliant to be back after 10 or 11 weeks out with the injuries. I missed playing so much so it was great to be back out on the pitch and even better with the team winning the game.

"The initial scan on the knee said six to eight weeks but there was also an issue with my foot, but now that's all sorted I can really push on and work hard.

"It was nice to get 10 minutes against Mansfield. The lads played really well and it was nice to be able to come in for 10 minutes to get back into the action."

Laird joined Southend from Leyton Orient in January.