SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown has confirmed he is close to completing a loan move for Brighton & Hove Albion defender Glen Rea.

The 20-year-old centre-back will stay with the Shrimpers until the start of January.

And Brown cannot wait to work with the highly rated youngster.

“The deal is more or less done and I’m very happy because I think Glen is different class,” said the Blues boss.

“Obviously he played against us in the Capital One Cup but I had seen him a few times before that as well and really liked we I saw.

“He’s a fantastic addition to our squad.”

Echosport understands the loan deal could be completed tomorrow with the youngster going straight into the squad for Monday’s clash at Coventry City.

Rea will also be joined in the squad by left winger Stephen McLaughlin despite the winger’s move from Nottingham Forest not having been officially confirmed.

“As far as I’m concerned, Stephen McLaughlin is now a Southend United player,” added Brown.