THE pressure is growing for Exeter City to arrest their downturn in fortunes and start collecting the sort of results that will keep them in Coca-Cola League One.

The Grecians are four points adrift of safety heading into tomorrow's vital trip to fellow strugglers Southend United.

Both sides are in a rut — City without a win in their last eight matches and Southend having lost their last four.

The Shrimpers still face the prospect of going into administration — and a potential 10-point deduction — because of £183,000 owed in unpaid taxes.

One of the victims of the cash crisis engulfing Roots Hall was George Friend, whose proposed extension to his loan spell with the Essex club was rejected by the FA back in October.

Now Friend has re-joined City until the end of the season and, in an ironic twist, his first away game sees him return to Southend.

"I really enjoyed it there — it's a nice club," said the Wolves defender. "There wasn't the biggest squad there but I managed to get quite a few games under my belt.

"Roots Hall is a tight little ground and the best atmosphere is actually when they play their games on a Friday night.

"It is not a massive ground, but it is a tidy little stadium and I am looking forward to going back there. The financial situation there was the reason I had to go back to Wolves.

"I had just signed my loan extension and then the FA rejected it because they weren't going to allow any more loans.

"I really hope it all comes out well for them with the administration side of things.

"When I was there it wasn't a major issue in the changing room. The lads didn't worry too much about it and they have just got on and played.

"It is a shock when clubs are hit with financial problems. It is a shame for the fans who support the team and for the players because they don't want to be out of work and out of pocket.

"But Exeter have had the experience of bouncing back from a similar situation and they are able to strive forward now."

City have picked up just six points from their 10 games since the turn of the year and have been dragged into the relegation places.

They have also been hit by a succession of injuries with Ben Watson (calf), Alex Russell (back), Bertie Cozic (leg) and Troy Archibald-Henville (knee) all confined to the treatment room.

Despite their alarming slump in form, Friend insists that the spirit in the City camp remains high.

"There are a lot of games to go and the league table can change around quite a bit between now and the end of the season," he said.

"There are a lot of points still to be won and hopefully things will work out in our favour.

"This is a game that we can win. It is a big game but no more important than any of the others.

"I am really desperate for us to win on Saturday and hopefully we can climb up the table soon.

"The squad is feeling good and everyone is looking forward to this match.

"I am not sure what state the pitch will be in, but it is the same for both sides."