SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown has confirmed he is keeping tabs on Grays Athletic hot-shot Dumebi Dumaka.

The striker has attracted interest from West Ham United, Ipswich Town and Bournemouth after scoring 15 times for the Ryman Premier League club so far this season.

And Brown has now revealed he is also tracking the highly-rated forward. “We are interested, but we’re just keeping tabs on him at the moment,” said the 56-year-old.

“I’ve not personally been to watch him yet but we’ve sent people to see him and we know what he’s capable of.”

Brown could be tempted into signing another striker as he is currently short of options in attack with Noel Hunt still sidelined with an ankle injury.

Blues have also netted 15 times in 15 league games so far this season, the fourth lowest in the division.

And Grays boss Mark Bentley, who himself made the move from non-league football to join the Shrimpers in his own playing career, believes Dumaka does have the talent to play at a higher level.

“DD is a really good lad, he’s raw but he can certainly play higher especially as his attitude is spot on,” said Bentley, pictured below.

“We obviously want to keep him here as long as we can and we’ve told him not to rush into making a move as well.

“Myself and my assistant manager Glen Little have been there and done it so he needs to keep on listening to us.

“But we want what’s best for him as well and I have already spoken to a coach I know at Southend about him and somebody at Leyton Orient where I work as well.

“He has a lot of potential and would obviously improve should he start to train full train.”

Former Blues boss Steve Tilson snapped up three attacking talents from Grays Athletic during his time in charge, bringing in Freddy Eastwood, Gary Hooper and Mitchell Cole.

But Bentley insisted it would be unfair to compare him to any other previous players to have made the move.

“DD is certainly not a Freddy Eastwood,” stressed Bentley.

“He’s a tall, powerful targetman who still has a lot to work on at this stage of his career but he has a lot of good qualities.

“We have scouts galore coming down to watch him but we haven’t had an actual bid come in for him yet.”