Lewis Hunt will always have a soft spot for Southend.

The defender played 180 times in nearly five years at Roots Hall and celebrated two promotions.

So he is keeping his fingers crossed that the Essex club can clamber out of the financial mire.

Hunt said: “They’ve been through the mill recently. There have been a lot of changes and only one or two members of staff and players are still there from last season.

“But hopefully they have hit rock bottom and will start to build themselves back up again.

“I had some really good times there and the club will always be close to my heart. It’s sad to see what has happened but I’m sure they will turn the corner soon.

“They’ve got a new team so they will all be extra keen to impress. But it’s a game that we're confident of winning.”

Hunt is hoping for a recall after sitting out the Carling Cup clash with Preston. Zesh Rehman took over at right back against the Championship side.

He added: “The lads came off knowing they’d given everything they could. Play like that and you’ll win more than you lose.

“It was a wonder goal that beat us. Sometimes you just have to hold up your hands and it was a great strike.

“Of course I wanted to play, that’s what you’re here for, but it’s a long season. It’s very rare that any player will be in every single game.

“But you just make sure that in the next training session you put something back into the manager’s thoughts for the next game.”