SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown is keen to bring Crystal Palace striker Kwesi Appiah to the club on loan.

Appiah impressed Brown when on loan at AFC Wimbledon at the end of last season.

And the Shrimpers chief now has his sights set on bringing the 23-year-old striker to Roots Hall.

“Kwesi really caught our eye with his pace when he played against us for AFC Wimbledon last season and we would like to bring him in if we can,” said Brown.

“We need to speak with their manager Tony Pulis but he’s away in America at the moment so we’ve had to wait to make that approach.

“I think when Jamar Loza was here for a short period we saw what a bit of pace can do in the final third.

“And that’s something we want to have here regularly next season.”

Appiah scored three goals in six starts while with AFC Wimbledon and won a penalty for them in their 1-0 win at Roots Hall in April.

That impressed Brown and he spoke with his defenders after the game about the striker’s talent.

“We have a good defence so when somebody we play against gives us a bit of trouble we make a note of him and ask our players what made them difficult to play against,” said Brown.

“We did that with Kwesi after John Egan brought him down for a penalty and it was really his pace that won it for them.”

Appiah also spent time on loan with Notts County and Cambridge United last term.