CHRIS Powell is set to replace the departed Phil Brown as manager of Southend United, Echosport understands.

Brown - who had been in charge of the Shrimpers since March 2013 - has been placed on gardening leave by chairman Ron Martin following a poor run of results.

And Powell is believed to be the board’s main target to replace him.

The 48-year-old, who has previously managed Charlton Athletic and Huddersfield Town, was an extremely popular figure during his playing days with the Shrimpers and is now in line for a Roots Hall return.

The former left-back made 290 appearances for the Shrimpers and would be a popular appointment among the Blues fans, who still hold the ex-England international in high esteem.