Southend boss Steve Tilson has welcomed back Gary Hooper into the first-team fold and is hoping the striker can play his part in the play-offs.Hooper has returned to the club following a three-month loan spell at Hereford in which he scored 11 goals in 19 appearances.

Tilson now wants the 20-year-old to push his claim for a starting place in the remaining game against Port Vale and then in the play-offs.

"Gary has done well while with Hereford and I'm sure it has done him the world of good," said Tilson.

"His confidence will be sky-high and it's going to be good having another striker in form for us."

Winger Damian Scannell, meanwhile, scored a hat-trick for the reserves in Monday's 4-0 win over Stevenage.

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