BARRY Corr has agreed to commit his future to Southend United.

The striker scored 21 goals in his first season at the club before missing all of the previous campaign with a long term knee injury.

But he is now nearing a return to full fitness and looks set to be remaining at Roots Hall for the forthcoming campaign.

“Barry has verbally agreed to sign the club’s offer of a new contract and we’re all very pleased he will be staying,” said a club spokesman.

“He showed all of his qualities during his first season here and it was unfortunate that injury stopped him building on that fine first year.

“The medical staff have been full of praise for how hard he’s been working in an attempt to come back from injury and that will carry on during the summer.

“He’s starting to make progress with the injury now too and it would be a huge boost to have him fully fit again for the start of the new season.

“In many ways it would be like having a new signing and hopefully he can be a leading member of our first team squad again.”

The spokesman was not willing to reveal the length of Corr’s new deal or whether or not it would be a pay as your play type contract which had previously been indicated by the 27-year-old Irishman.

However, Corr is not the only Blues player to have agreed to stay at Southend, as winger Ryan Leonard has put pen to paper on a new deal.

The 20-year-old made 23 appearances last term after joining on a free transfer from Plymouth Argyle.

Club chiefs remain in contract talks with Peter Gilbert, Anthony Grant, Mark Phillips, Luke Prosser, Chris Barker, Jean-Paul Kalala and Christian Dailly.

Blues are also in discussions over a permanent move for Freddy Eastwood who ended last season back on loan at Roots Hall and is available on a free transfer after being released by Coventry City.

The club spokesman also confirmed that no bids had been made for any of Southend’s players.