PAUL Konchesky says he cannot wait to get started with East Thurrock United after getting ‘itchy feet’ towards the end of last season.

The former Liverpool and West Ham United defender, who made two appearances for England between 2003 and 2005, joined the National League South club as a player/coach last week.

Konchesky, 37, left Billericay Town last November having been appointed captain at the AGP Arena.

But, having played in numerous charity matches and worked on his coaching badges, he has now made a return to football.

And the former Premier League defender is not expecting an easy ride at the second level of non-league football.

“It is a tough league,” he said. “I have had a look at the opposition and it is very competitive. Billericay being in there is nice and I look forward to that game.

“Last year was tough as well. People thought Billericay would run away with it but it was touch and go until the end of the season so it doesn’t necessarily matter how good the group is but what the team’s confidence is like.

“I want to play, as always, but I have done my UEFA B Licence so I am looking to help others as well. I can help senior and younger players.

“It isn’t full-time too so it’s a good opportunity for me to still spend time with my family.”

Konchesky came to join Rocks after a chance meeting with Lee Burns while holidaying in Morocco.

But he said once he had met with manager John Coventry it was a move that made sense.

“I always kept myself fit even when I didn’t have a club,” he said. “I was in the gym and this guy came in who I knew of but didn’t know. We got talking and he told me he played for East Thurrock and he asked what I was doing next year. I wasn’t sure as after I left Billericay I found I didn’t miss it but I played a few charity games and got itchy feet towards the end of the season.

“He said I should go down to East Thurrock but I said I wanted to talk to the manager and it went from there. I met John for a coffee in Brentwood and it was a good meeting. He liked my ambition and it is an exciting move.”

Konchesky links up with former Town team-mate Jack Giddens at the FutureFuel Stadium, while he also played with Billy Knott, brother of Rocks’ Sammy Knott, at Gillingham.

And the left-back is confident he will be able to play a key role for East Thurrock in the 2018/19 campaign.

“I am experienced enough to be all right,” he said. “It will be different but I am looking forward to it all.”