SOUTHEND United new boy Luke O’Neill has revealed he is interested in turning his loan switch into a permanent move.

The 24-year-old full-back is with Blues from Burnley for at least the next month.

But O’Neill is keen to remain at Roots Hall for far longer.

“We have spoken about making the move permanent and I’m really interested in doing that to be honest,” said O’Neill.

“Hopefully we can get something sorted because I’m 24 now and I want to be playing and competing at a good level.

“League One is definitely a good level. I played in it last season and I know I can add something to this team.”

O’Neill, who was on the bench for Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Swindon Town, previously spent time on loan with the Shrimpers in January 2014.

However, a thigh injury sustained when making an impressive cross-field pass on his debut against Chesterfield meant he appeared just once.

And O’Neill now wants to make more of an impression.

“It was a good pass but hopefully I can do things like that again for far longer,” said the defender, who spent time on loan with Scunthorpe United and Leyton Orient last term.

“It was a shame to come off injured and I was actually out for quite a while with that.

“But it’s fine now though and I’m raring to go.

“Being here before has helped me settle in because although I might only have played one game I was actually here for a while.

“I went away with the lads and they’re a great bunch.

“The manager is good and it’s closer to home for me too.

“My family live in Northampton so it’s not too far and I want to be among things again.”

O’Neill will therefore be looking to put pressure on John White for the right-back berth in the Shrimpers starting line-up.

But he actually expected to be with Blues far earlier in the season.

“This move has been on the cards for a while,” said O’Neill.

“It seemed to be taking a while and I thought it might have been done a bit quicker.

“But I’m pleased to be here now and I just want to be playing games.”