SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown is looking to complete the signing of a centre-back on loan before tomorrow’s clash with Swindon Town at Roots Hall.

Brown is short of defensive options after Cian Bolger sustained a shoulder injury during Wednesday night’s 0-0 draw at Doncaster Rovers.

And the Blues boss, who now has just two fit centre-backs available, is in talks with a trio of Championship clubs and one from the Premier League as he bids to bring in a replacement.

“I’m confident of being able to bring in a defender but it might not happen until just before the game,” said Brown.

“The way that managers are they like to make sure everything is OK in their own matchday squad before deciding to let one out.

“We’re in talks with three or four clubs at the moment and I’m just waiting to get the green light from one of them now.

“I think we definitely need one too because I want a right sided centre back in to be able to play alongside either Luke Prosser or Adam Barrett to give us some balance back there.”

Echosport understands all of Brown’s transfer targets are 21 or under.

But the Shrimpers chief has no qualms about bringing another promising youngster to the club.

“We’re talking to clubs about young defenders but we’ve had great success doing that in the past with John Egan and Jakub Sokolik so there’s no reason why we can’t again,” said Brown.

“We do also have the option of moving John White to centre-back but that means moving Ryan Leonard from midfield where he does have an influence on games so it’s something I’m not that keen to do.”

However, Brown does not yet know how long he will be without Bolger.

The Irishman had his injured shoulder scanned at the Wellesley Hospital in Southend yesterday.

But Brown is not sure when Bolger will yet be back in action.

“Cian’s shoulder popped in and out and there’s no way he will play tomorrow but we can’t put a timescale on it just yet,” said the 56-year-old.

“It’s not as serious as the injury Adam Thompson picked up last season but we will find out more today about what damage has been done.”