Tilly in quest for defender (From Echo)

Tilly in quest for defender

10:10am Thursday 9th July 2009 in

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AS Southend United begin their pre-season campaign with two games in two days, manager Steve Tilson is waiting to hear back from another defensive target.

The Shrimpers play their first friendly at Great Wakering Rovers tomorrow night before visiting Witham Town on Saturday.

But Tilson has more than just those matches on his mind as he is also hoping for positive news in the transfer market.

“There is one player we are waiting to hear back from at the moment and he’s a defender on a free transfer,” said Tilson, who remained tight-lipped about the identity of his target.

“He is someone who has played in the league before, but I don’t want to say too much else about him because it could alert other clubs and that’s not going to help us.”

But Tilson was more than happy to discuss his team’s return to action.

And he — like all Blues fans — is looking forward to seeing his side step back onto the pitch for the first time since May.

“It will be good and I’m sure they will be two decent work-outs for us,” said Tilson.

“Hopefully the pitches will be good so we won’t get any injuries and it’s all about making sure we get something out of it which I’m sure we will.

“Wakering manager Iain O’Connell and Witham manager Danny Greaves are both people I know well so it’s nice to be able to play them and hope they get good crowds to make them a bit of money.”

Tilson aims to play two different line-ups in each half and has drafted in several members of the youth team to make that possible.

Trialist centre-back Andrei Stepanov and left-back Guus De Vries will both be in action, while Jean Francois Christophe — who is normally a midfielder — could figure at the heart of the defence.

“It’s something we may have a look at during pre-season,” confirmed Tilson.

“But being truthful he doesn’t really have what I’m looking for in a centre-back and he will maybe just have to fill in during a few of the friendlies due to a lack of numbers.”

Blues have two injury concerns ahead of the two games with winger Damian Scannell and striker James Walker both doubtful.

Scannell has a slight knee problem, while Walker has a tight hamstring and may not be risked.