SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown has denied making another move for striker Jordan Chiedozie.

The 20-year-old forward has now joined Blues’ League Two rivals Cambridge United from Concord Rangers.

But, despite having Chiedozie on trial during pre-season, Brown decided not to follow up his interest by making an actual bid.

“We were interested in Jordan and I watched him a few times but we never went in for him,” said Brown.

“We obviously had him at the football club during the summer on trial and he played in a couple of pre-season games for us too.

“I continued to track him after that and I was at Concord for their FA Cup replay with Mansfield last Tuesday.

“There was a mischievous agent ringing all and sundry about him and I think there must have been about 12 to 15 scouts at the game just to watch Jordan.

“Everyone wants to find that gem in non league and he was certainly one of the best strikers in the Conference South.

“But, if I’m being honest about it, I didn’t see enough from him in the Mansfield game to take a chance on him.

“I understand he’s now gone to Cambridge though and I wish him the very best of luck for them, except when he’s playing against us.”

Chiedozie joined Concord at the start of the season and scored seven goals in 11 games before joining Cambridge on an 18 month deal.

The striker, who came through the youth ranks at Bournemouth, went straight in to the U’s starting line-up at the weekend and helped them win 2-1 at AFC Wimbledon.