PHIL Brown insists the door is still open for both Jakub Sokolik and John Egan to join Southend United.

The defensive duo, who both ended last season on loan with the Shrimpers, have advised Brown they are expecting to join clubs from a higher level.

But neither player has yet to sign a contract with another side.

And Brown would still welcome them both back to Roots Hall.

“We’ve been told by their agents that the players will be joining clubs from a higher level but the door is still very much open for them here if they want to come back,” said Brown.

“I would welcome the chance to sign either of them if I could and they still haven’t actually signed for anyone yet.

“We expected Jakub to join Yeovil but they signed another centre-back and still have two from last season so he would be vying with all three of those for a place in the team.

“He would be a fourth option which might not bode very well for him.

“We’ve been back in touch because of that and made it clear our offer is still very much on the table.”

Sokolik made 12 appearances for Blues while on loan from Liverpool at the end of last season.

Egan, who was with the Shrimpers from Sunderland, played 15 times but has been heavily linked with a switch to Championship club Blackburn Rovers this summer.