D-Day looms for Southend trialists football: Southend United manager Phil Brown is set to finalise the futures of the club’s trialists in the next couple of days.

Brown looked at a number of out-of-contract players during Tuesday night’s 2-1 defeat to Ipswich Town.

And many of them were also expected to figure against Queens Park Rangers at Roots Hall last night.

Defenders Mads Ibenfeldt and Ben Richards-Everton are both keen to secure contracts along with midfeld trio Ross Jenkins, Gary Deegan and Patrick Cregg.

Winger Craig Fagan is also still with the Shrimpers hoping for a deal and so too is striker Jordan Chiedozie.

And Brown knows he must now decide whether or not to offer any deals.

“We’ve had a look at these players now, seen what they can do and now we need to decide if they are better than what we have in the squad,” said Brown.

“We’ve got more of a picture about them all and know decisions will need to be made.”

Brown is keen to bring in three or four more signings before the season starts on Saturday, August 9, at Accrington Stanley.

The Blues boss is keen bring in two defenders and a striker and is still pursuing targets other than his trialists.

“We have a number of irons in the fire and I’m hopeful something can be completed this week,” said Brown.

“We’re looking everywhere but I’ve also been encouraged by the displays of our youngsters in the friendlies we’ve had.

“They’ve shown what they can bring to the party but now it’s all about maintaining the confidence the players currently have and we’re certainly still ahead on where we were this time last year.”

Brown is also still trying to organise another friendly for his side this weekend.