SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown is confident he remains on course to bring both Noel Hunt and Joe Pigott to Roots Hall.

Brown felt the Shrimpers’ 2-1 defeat at Dagenham & Redbridge on Saturday highlighted the shortage of strikers in his squad.

But the Blues boss hopes to address the situation by bringing in both Hunt and Pigott.

“It was glaringly obvious where we’re short and we haven’t got it right in front of goal but there are no alarm bells ringing at this stage.

“We need to get some quality into the camp and we will do that in the next couple of weeks.”

Hunt, a former Reading and Leeds United striker, has held more transfer talks with Brown while Blues have now had a bid for Pigott turned down by Charlton Athletic.

However, Brown is still working on bringing them both to the Shrimpers.

“Noel is absolutely quality so if I can get him then all well and good,” said the Blues boss.

“He’s good back to me now, it’s still ongoing and hopefully we can announce something this week.

“We’re certainly trying as hard as we can and it’s the same with Joe.”

“We have had a bid turned down now but Charlton have brought in a new striker and I don’t think Joe will get a look in there really so it’s up to him what he wants to do.

“He enjoyed it here on loan last season and scored the goal of his lifetime in the play-off final against Wycombe.

“If he’s in the right frame of mind I think he will still come and join us.

“There’s a bit of business still to be done but the chairman is dealing with it.”

Pigott scored seven goals in 23 games while on loan with Blues last season and could be back in action at Roots Hall tomorrow with Charlton Athletic in another pre-season friendly.

Hunt, 32, is available on a free transfer following his release from Ipswich Town at the end of last season.

The striker has bagged more than 80 goals during his career.