SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown expects to complete a trio of signings today.

Defender Mads Ibenfeldt looks set to sign a year long deal with the Shrimpers after impressing on trial while Tottenham Hotspur striker Shaquile Coulthirst is close to completing a season long loan switch.

Fellow forward Isaac Layne, who spent last term with Billericay Town, has now also passed a medical with Blues.

And Brown is delighted to be adding to his squad before the new League Two season starts at Acrrington Stanley on Saturday.

“I'm very pleased to be signing these players and to be bolstering our squad before the start of the season,” said Brown.

“Mads is someone who has impressed me during pre-season, especially in the game we had against QPR.

“It's good news he's agreed a one year deal and I'm also very pleased to be bringing in Shaquile who I think could be a very exciting player for us.

“He's agreed a year long loan with us but there is a break clause in it, similar to the one we had with Cauley Woodrow from Fulham.”

Coulthirst, who was wanted by four other clubs including Cheltenham Town, has already spent time on loan with both Leyton Orient and Torquay United.

But he first hit the headlines during the 2012/13 season when scoring a hat-trick in Tottenham's 4-1 win at Barcelona in the NextGen Series.

Coulthirst has represented England at under 19 level and was also on the bench for Spurs' Premier League clash at Liverpool in March 2013.

He also made his first team debut at White Hart Lane as a late substitute in Spurs' 4-1 win against Anzhi in the Europa League last December.

Coulthirst played against the Shrimpers on his Torquay debut last season and caught the eye of Brown during the recent pre-season friendly between Southend and Tottenham..

The Shrimpers chief also remains in talks with Bolton Wanderers defender Cian Bolger and hopes to also be able to bring him back to Roots Hall.

Midfielder Michael Richardson has also joined Blues on trial after being recommended to Brown by former England international Peter Beardsley.

Ex Hull City striker Craig Fagan is also still training with the club but trialists Ben Richards-Everton, Patrick Cregg, Gary Deegan, Ross Jenkins and Jordan Chiezodie will not be offered deals.