KEVIN Keen is expected to extend his spell with Southend United.

Keen was appointed joint assistant manager alongside Damian Matthew following the appointment of Chris Powell as manager back in January.

And Powell is keen to keep on working with the former West Ham United midfielder.

“Kevin did a great job alongside Damian and with Lee Harrison as well and I want that to continue,” said Powell.

“I want him to stay and I’m sure he will.”

Keen’s initial contract with the Shrimpers expired at the end of June but he is now expected to sign a longer term deal with the club who finished 10th in League One last season.

Keen previously worked with Powell when he was a coach at West Ham and he held a number of varying roles while at Upton Park.

Keen joined as under 17 team coach and eventually progressed to work with the first team where he enjoyed three spells as caretaker manager.

Keen has also coached at West Brom, Liverpool, Reading and Crystal Palace and had a short spell in charge of Colchester United.

Keen’s first game in charge was a 2-0 defeat to Blues on Boxing Day 2015 but he was dismissed after suffering relegation from League One that season.

The 51-year-old was also working alongside Teddy Sheringham in India before coming to Blues.