SOUTHEND United have failed in a loan swoop for Millwall goalkeeper Steve Mildenhall .

Blues were keen to bring back their former shot-stopper who played 89 times for the club before leaving at the end of the 2009/10 season.

But the Lions were not keen to accept Southend’s approach.

It remains to be seen if Blues will come back in with an improved offer for the keeper and agree to pay a higher percentage of his wages.

However, the knock back leaves Southend still without a senior goalkeeper eight days before the start of the new campaign.

Millwall visit Roots Hall tomorrow in a pre-season friendly but Mildenhall is unlikely to be involved.