SOUTHEND United manager Chris Powell is keen to keep goalkeeper Mark Oxley at the club.

Oxley - who has shone between the sticks for the Shrimpers this season - is out of contract at the end of the season.

But Powell insists Blues will be doing all they can to ensure the 27-year-old remains at Roots Hall.

“We’ve made him an offer because I certainly see him as someone I would like to keep here moving forward,” said Powell.

“He’s very good at this level and I’ve been impressed by him as a person and as a keeper, his work ethic and the way he is with the group.

“I think he also quite likes that I really like clean sheets as an ex defender and I keep saying to the boys that they earn you points.

“We’ve got five clean sheets in 10 games so far but we all want more.”

Oxley will play a key part in that happening but his fine form is likely to have attracted interest elsewhere with Millwall the first to be linked with the shot-stopper.

Lions boss Neil Harris was at Roots Hall for Saturday’s clash with Rotherham United, along with first team coach Adam Barrett.

And Powell knows it could be tough to keep hold of Oxley who has been with Blues since the start of last season.

“When you’re out of contract and you’re over 24 you’re in dangerous territory,” said Powell.

“If you’re playing well then we know people will look but I feel that he would play regularly here.

“That’s not to say Nathan Bishop and Ted Smith are keepers who are not in my thoughts.

“But if you’re trying to build for the future and you have an experienced goalkeeper who knows the level then you want them in your group.

“However, what will be will be. It’s very hard to answer what will happen at this stage but I would like to keep him.”

However, Powell seems more confident of keeping Ben Coker whose current contract - which expires at the end of the season - includes the option of a further year.

"Ben has got another year, he’s got the captain’s armband now and he’s another player I would like to build the team around,” said Powell.

“He’s a key player and is someone I would like to see here for a very long time.”