POPULAR former Southend United striker Freddy Eastwood has yet to decide if he will continue playing next season.

The 30-year-old striker was released by the Shrimpers at the end of last season.

And he is still mulling over his future in the game.

“I really don’t know what’s going to happen at this stage and whether or not I’m going to be playing again next season,” said Eastwood.

“At the moment I’m enjoying having a bit of a break and I haven’t really though too much about football.

“I’ve heard a few rumours about one or two clubs being interested in me but I certainly haven’t spoken to anyone about a possible move at the moment.”

Eastwood scored a combined total of 75 goals in 210 games for the Shrimpers and was particularly successful in his first stint with the club.

The striker fired Blues to two successive promotions to get in to the Championship and also bagged a memorable free-kick to help Southend beat Manchester United in the League Cup.

That made Eastwood a firm favourite with the supporters and he is still set to line up for the Shrimpers one last time when they take on Ipswich Town in a pre-season friendly at Roots Hall on Tuesday July 29.

“I’m looking forward to the game, just as long as my knee is OK,” said the forward.

“Being honest I haven’t really done too much since the end of last season so I don’t know how my knee is.

“But once the lads are back from Spain I will go down to the training ground as see how it is.

“It would be great to play for Southend one last time but who knows if it will be my last game at Roots Hall.

“Maybe one day I will be back playing for someone else as you never know what can happen in football.”