SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown has revealed he is still interested in signing experienced striker Marc-Antoine Fortune.

The 35-year-old lined up as a trialist in Blues’ under-21s’ 1-1 draw at Dagenham & Redbridge on Tuesday afternoon.

And Brown was again impressed by the Frenchman’s display.

“I like what I see from Marc-Antoine,” said the Shrimpers boss.

“He put himself around again at Dagenham and I think he brings up something we don’t already have.

“He’s got a lot of experience, which is always good to have in and around the dressing room, and he has integrated into the group well too.”

However, the move will ultimately be decided by Fortune’s wage demands which Brown previously stated had been too high for the Shrimpers.

But the Blues chief met with Fortune again yesterday morning and still hopes to find a solution.

“I went to meet Marc-Antoine yesterday morning at the hotel where he’s staying at the moment and talked over a few things,” said Brown.

“When we spoke before it was all rather crammed because of the 12 noon deadline we needed to try and get it all done by in order for him play against Millwall.

“But hopefully we can still sort something.”