SOUTHEND United have had no contact from Bolton Wanderers to speak to their manager Phil Brown.

And chief executive Steve Kavanagh insists the club are close to sorting out his new contract.

Brown, whose current deal at Roots Hall expires at the end of the season, remains among the bookmakers favourites to replace ex Blues striker Dougie Freedman at the Championship club.

But the Trotters have not yet made any kind of move for the former Hull City boss.

“There has been no contact from Bolton Wanderers or any kind of approach from them at all to speak to Phil Brown,” said Kavanagh.

“The focus of Phil, the chairman and myself is very much on Southend United and, as part of that, we’re in the process of extending Phil’s contract.

“Talks are progressing well and we’re hoping an announcement is imminent.”

Brown played for Bolton during his own career before going on to become part of the coaching set up at the club.

Working with Sam Allardyce he helped take the Trotters in to Europe.

But, despite the constant speculation, Brown has also not been contacted by anyone at Bolton.

“The situation is still the same as it was earlier on in the week and it’s all just rumours as far as I’m concerned,” said Brown.

“People keep asking me about it and I’ve read the same stories as everybody else but I’m just focusing on the job I’m doing with Southend United and making sure we prepare correctly for this Saturday’s game at Luton.”

Former Bolton defender Jimmy Phillips, who now works in the club’s academy, is also among the favourites for the job along with former Middlesbrough boss Tony Mowbray.

Ex West Ham United striker Paolo Di Canio and former Celtic manager Neil Lennon are also believed to have applied for the vacant post, along with ex Norwich City chief Chris Hughton.

Bolton hope to name their new manager before the current international break comes to an end next weekend