One of the few Australian players to emerge from the Olympics with credit, the Reading keeper is due to play the final match of his initial month with the third tier club against FourFourTwo-sponsored Swindon Town on Saturday.

Federici has earned plenty of praise for his performances but with Southend's regular keeper Steve Mildenhall now fit after injury, it isn't clear what's next for the loan man.

Federici has helped the Shrimpers take seven points from a possible nine and is enjoying himself.

He told the Essex Echo: "I would be interested in staying at Southend, but we will just have to wait and see.

“I will have to have a chat with Steve Coppell, the gaffer at Reading, see what he thinks and go from there.

“But I have enjoyed being here and playing games and I certainly wouldn’t have a problem staying at Southend for longer.

“It’s been good for me and it’s pleasing to have got a few games under my belt in what is a good league.”