RYAN Scott says he is ‘making up for lost time’ after his return to East Thurrock United.

The defender returned to Essex last March following two years in Australia and initially made an impact as a makeshift striker.

He has now returned to his more natural position at centre-half but has endured a difficult start to term.

Rocks are bottom of the National League South having lost all five league matches so far and welcome Slough Town to Rookery Hill tomorrow.

But Scott is still in good spirits.

“I have enjoyed it and feel like I’m making up for lost time anyway,” he said. “After this weekend we are playing mainly on Saturday which gives us more time to prepare for each game and rest as we have already had some long away trips.

“For how we have started morale is still high. In all but one game we have lost by a single goal, and it has more often than not been a gift from us rather than good play from the opposition.

“We have a good group of boys and we have stuck together very well through a tricky start which is a good sign.”

A significant boost for Rocks this weekend is the return of striker Sam Higgins, who is back from his honeymoon to bolster East Thurrock’s hopes of survival.

And Scott is confident the striker will make a difference, with just one goal scored in the opening five matches.

“For any team in any league it’s always great to have your top scorer available for selection,” said Scott. “Goals have been hard to come by and Higgo’s all-round quality along with his goals is a massive plus.

“I saw a picture of Zlatan Ibrahimovic asking him for tips recently in Los Angeles, that’s how good he is.”