SOUTHEND United centre-back Luke Prosser has stepped up his return from concussion but does not yet know when he will be able to return to action.

Prosser was knocked unconscious by a Ryan Donaldson free-kick during the 0-0 draw with Cambridge United at Roots Hall 10 days ago.

And the 26-year-old does not recall much about the incident which has forced him to the sidelines.

“I don’t really remember much about what happened to be honest but I think it probably looked worse than it actually was,” said Prosser. 

“I remember being in the wall and Ryan Leonard asking if we were going to jump before the ball hit me around my cheek bone and eye.

“I vaguely remember being on the pitch and I definitely didn’t want to go off on a stretcher but I don’t think I had much choice in the end.

“My neck is still quite sore with what I guess are whiplash injuries due to the way I fell, but I did some cardio work yesterday for the first time since the game and I’m feeling 10 times better than I did.

“My aim this week is to step things up each day and I would obviously love to play against Mansfield on Friday, but it’s still far too early to say whether or not that’s possible.

“I’m not really sure when I’ll be back at that stage, but hopefully it won’t be too long.”

Prosser will continue to receive treatment from Blues’ physiotherapist Ben Clarkson this week.

And the centre-back was keen to thank the club’s medical staff for how quickly they reacted to the incident.

“I think people knew it was quite serious when Ben ran at a speed nobody had ever seen him run at before,” joked Prosser.

“But in all seriousness I need to thank Ben and St John Ambulance for the treatment they gave me on the pitch and how quickly they got me to hospital too.

“I would also like to say thank you to the fans for all their messages of support which mean a lot to me.

“I think I probably scared a few people, including my team-mates who keep on telling me they thought I was dead!”

Thankfully, Prosser is now making a good recovery.

And he is desperate to get back in action as quickly as he can.

“It’s really frustrating because I had only just got back into the team again,” said Prosser.

“I thought things had been going OK and I’m certainly desperate to get back out there again because we have some big games coming up and I obviously want to be a part of them.”