SOUTHEND United’s player of the year Mark Phillips wants to commit his future to the club.

Phillips’ current deal expires at the end of June.

But the centre-back is keen to agree a new deal and remain at Roots Hall.

“I love the club and I want to stay,” said Phillips, 30.

“I’ve spoken with the manager and he said he’d like to keep me but these things take time and there’s no rush as the season has only just finished.

“There’s been no concrete offer from the club at the moment and I would imagine that could take around three weeks.

“Then the club and my agent would have to meet up, but of course I’d like to still be here next season and help us get promotion.”

Phillips helped Blues work their way in to the play-offs with a series of fine displays at the heart of the back four.

He also chipped in with eight goals at the other end of the pitch.

But the former Millwall man is disappointed to have not been able to make more of an impact in the play-offs against Crewe after suffering what proved to be a broken shoulder in the first leg.

“I was really disappointed by how the season ended, both for me and the team,” said Phillips.

“I wanted to make an impact on the play-offs by helping us get a clean sheet or by scoring goal and I wasn’t able to do it because I was in agony.”

FULL STORY IN WEDNESDAY'S ECHO