SOUTHEND United have joined the race to sign Torquay United's out of contract striker Rene Howe.

The powerful forward has scored 30 goals in his last two seasons with the Gulls but now looks set to leave the Devon club.

And that has alerted the Shrimpers who are keen to bolster their forward line before the start of next season.

“Rene is a strong player with a proven record in League Two so it's only natural the club would be interested in someone like him if he's available,” said a source close to the club.

“It's still very early in terms of looking at who is keen to come in and who is available for what price but Rene is certainly someone Southend are aware of and are tracking.”

Howe would certainly add an aggressive edge to Blues' strike-force after he was booked 15 times last term, more than any other player in League Two.

The previous year he was shown 13 yellow and two red cards and will miss the first two matches of next season because of suspension.

However, Howe is still attracting interest from elsewhere with Plymouth Argyle, Exeter City and League One Sheffield United also rumoured to be monitoring the situation.

Howe trained as an electrician and impressed at non league level for both Bedford and Kettering Town before joining Peterborough United in July 2007.

The forward had few opportunities to impress with the Posh though and spent time out on loan with six clubs – Rochdale, Morecambe, Lincoln, Gillingham, Rushden and Bristol Rovers – before joining Torquay in 2011.

Since then he has established himself as a real threat at League Two level and will be keen to impress again next season.

Blues are also keen to bring in a striker as Britt Assombalonga, who bagged 16 goals last season, has now returned to Watford after his loan spell completed.

There are also doubts over the future of Gavin Tomlin who formed a good partnership with Assombalonga last term.

Tomlin bagged 16 goals but will soon be out of contract at Roots Hall and has been linked with a move away from the club.