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Midfielder John Spicer hopes to find out in the near future whether he has done enough to earn a contract with Southend United.

The 28-year-old has been at Roots Hall for three weeks and scored in Tuesday's 2-1 friendly defeat by Millwall.

"If you try your best and you get a contract at the end of it then happy days,"

"I would like to sign for Southend but I don't really know what the situation is."

He said: "I wanted it sorted sooner rather than later though."

Spicer is a free agent after being released by Notts County but his chances to impress Shrimpers' boss Paul Sturrock in pre-season have been limited by a thigh injury.

However, after seeing his performance against Millwall, Sturrock said Spicer had "staked a claim".

The Scot added: "He has a lack of fitness at this moment in time but he scored a good goal and knew when to pass it and hold onto it. I was very impressed with him."

Spicer began his career with Arsenal's youth team but moved on to Bournemouth, Burnley and Doncaster before joining County in 2010.