Zaaboub did not have a professional club last season

Southend United winger Sofiene Zaaboub says he is happy to have put a nightmare year behind him.

Family problems forced the France-born 27-year-old away from the game last season before he joined the Shrimpers in the summer.

"I'm really happy because I've been injured lots of times and last season I didn't play," he told BBC Essex.

"It was frustrating until the start of the season but I'm getting better. When you're playing you enjoy yourself."

Zaaboub put in his best performance for Paul Sturrock's side in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Accrington, supplying the cross for Bilel Moshni's equaliser.

An array of injuries had kept him out of the side for the whole of September but the former Walsall and Swindon midfielder has now made nine appearances.

"I want to play every single game," he said.

"So I have to work hard to get into the team and to do my best for Southend United."

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