SOUTHEND United manager Steve Tilson and his assistant Paul Brush have just returned from a scouting mission in Spain.

The Shrimpers are keen to bolster their squad ahead of the new season.

And their pursuit of new players has now expanded to beyond just England.

“Steve and I spent a long weekend in Spain and took in a few games while we were over there,” confirmed Brush.

“We have a link up with CD Javea so it was good to cement that partnership even further and to also see the standard of some of the players out there.

“Last summer we were offered players for trials but it was hard to know what to do because we didn’t know what level they would be at.

“That was another reason for this visit and we went to watch Barcelona B playing as well as Benidorm.”

Brush added the quality of the clashes were similar to sides towards the bottom of League One and teams in League Two.

But he was impressed with the technique of the individuals in action.

“That was excellent,” stressed Brush.

“However how they would cope in a more physical game played at a higher tempo is the key issue but there are players available over there so who knows what might happen and it was certainly a worthwhile trip, even if we did suffer a long delay on the flight back!”

Blues are keen to bring in more defenders, left sided players and a striker with ability in the air.

Yet Brush does not expect any new signing to be completed before the end of the month.

“It’s still quite early for moves to be finalised,” he said.

“We’ve made enquiries about players but there are still games being played and those who are available are weighing up their options.

“Players and their agents will playing offers off against each other but I don’t think anything will happen for us this month.

“I think it’s well known where we need to strengthen and it begins at both ends of the pitch.”

That means pursuing the services of midfielder Lee Sawyer, who enjoyed a successful loan stint with the Shrimpers last term, is not of paramount importance.

“Lee did well when he was with us and we’ve been to watch him playing for Wycombe,” confirmed Brush.

“But we have a lot of midfielders already at the club so there are bigger priorities for us.

“We will look at solving them and then see where things are.”