SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown is attempting to bring former Brighton & Hove Albion striker Craig Mackail-Smith to the club on trial.

The 31-year-old former Scotland international has been training with League Two side Luton Town during pre-season.

But Brown has now made contact with the forward and hopes he could figure in friendlies against Braintree Town tonight and West Ham United tomorrow.

“I’ve made contact with Craig Mackail-Smith and he is certainly someone I’m interested in,” said the Shrimpers chief.

“He’s at Luton on a fitness exercise and I would like to take a look at him if possible.

“If you can get him back to the level he was at a couple of years ago then you have a real player on your hands.

“He’s a bubbly striker who is always in your face.

“He never gives defenders any peace but he broke his ankle and he hasn’t really got back to it since then.

“But with a good pre-season behind him who knows what he can do so hopefully he will be coming in soon.”

Notts County are also believed to be interested in signing Mackail-Smith, who first shot to prominence while with Dagenham & Redbridge.

The striker bagged 38 goals in 93 starts before being snapped up by Peterborough United.

While with the Posh he hit the back of the net 99 times in 212 outings was snapped up by Brighton & Hove Albion for £2.5million in July 2011.

He scored 22 goals in 122 games for the Seagulls before being released at the end of last season.

Mackail-Smith has bagged 161 goals during his career and has netted once in seven outings for Scotland.

Brown is also working on bringing other trialists in for the two friendlies in two days and confirmed Bournemouth centre-back Stephane Zubar is likely to feature along with ex Gillingham winger Danny Galbraith.