The Portsmouth-born striker netted a brace on his first team debut against WBA in late 1998 but has been plagued by injuries in recent years. Luke told Southend's Evening Echo: "I just want to get back playing again.
"I've had six operations on my cartlidge, so my main target is just to start playing again regularly".
Nightingale make make his debut tomorrow at Belle Vue when Southend travel to newly-promoted Doncaster Rovers.