SOUTHEND United striker Noel Hunt is eager to end the season on a high to secure himself a longer future with the Shrimpers.

The fit-again Irishman has recovered from a knee problem in time to figure in tomorrow’s clash against Bradford City at Roots Hall.

And the 33-year-old is keen to prove his worth against the Bantams as Blues look to get back to winning ways.

“It’s down to the club and the manager what happens but I would like to stay, “said Hunt, whose current deal includes an extra year-long clause Southend could opt to trigger.

“I would like to come back and have a proper pre-season behind me.

“The one I had last summer was a bit stop-start.

“At one point I was going to America then I wasn’t and I was here, there and everywhere.

“I didn’t have time to prepare right.

“But hopefully I can get a good run in pre-season this summer because that’s key for the whole season.

“However, before then we have two games left and I want to help the team win both of them so we can end the season on a high.”

Hunt is pushing for a recall against Bradford after recovering from a knee injury he sustained against Chesterfield in early March.

The injury was Hunt’s fourth of the season.

And he remains frustrated to have only been able to make 14 starts this term.

“They aren’t knocks or niggles I’ve had, I’ve had four injures and they’ve all been impact ones,” said Hunt. “Two were from bad tackles, one was a collision and one was a freak heel problem.

“It if it was muscle tears I could accept it more easily but it’s been a frustrating season.”

But Hunt, who has netted four goals for Blues since signing last summer, now admits he was wrong to try and play through the pain in his last appearance.

“I got injured about 10 minutes of being on the pitch against Chesterfield and looking back now I should probably have gone off,” said Hunt.

“I knew it was sore but I had just come back and didn’t want to be letting anyone down.

But Hunt has now recovered from the knee problem and is keen to impress this weekend.

“We want to finish the season strongly with two wins,” said the forward.

“There are places to play for and you always want to finish as high up as you can.

“These last two games can show a lot to a manager, physically and mentally as well because if people just throw in the towel then you wouldn’t want them at your football club.”