SOUTHEND United have yet to make a signing this summer but with hundreds of players available on free transfers the Shrimpers are certainly not short of options.

Echosport's Blues reporter Chris Phillips has trawled through the list of options and sees who could realistically ended up at Roots Hall next term. 

GOALKEEPERS

Ted Smith will be pushing for the number one slot next season but, with Daniel Bentley certain to depart, Blues will also need to bring in another goalkeeper.

Simon Eastwood, who has just been released by Blackburn Rovers, is one possibility along with American shot-stopper Cody Cropper following his release from MK Dons.

However, a more experienced option is 31-year-old Adam Collin, who ended last season on loan at Aberdeen having previously played more than 200 league games following spells at Carlisle United and Rotherham.

DEFENDERS

Blues conceded 64 goals in League One last season and will definitely need to improve defensively if they are to find themselves higher up the table.

Following the departures of both Luke Prosser and Cian Bolger, the Shrimpers currently have just two senior centre backs in their squad.

Blues boss Phil Brown remains in talks with former loanee Glen Rea about him returning to Roots Hall but there are other options available.

Jermaine Grandison could be purchased on a free transfer following his release from Shrewsbury Town, while another ex-loanee Jakub Sokolik is also available after being let go by Yeovil Town.

Plymouth Argyle’s Curtis Nelson is also out of contract but the centre back is likely to receive offers from elsewhere which the Shrimpers could struggle to match.

Former Blues centre back Ryan Cresswell is also believed to be available for transfer, along with Oldham Athletic’s James Wilson and Adam El-Abd, who finished last season on loan at Gillingham.

MIDFIELDERS

Blues have plenty of options in the centre of the park, with Anthony Wordsworth, Michael Timlin, Will Atkinson and Ryan Leonard still on board.

But Stephen McLaughlin remains the only winger still in the squad and the Shrimpers will be seeking more creativity in their team next term.

With that in mind, Brown is still in talks with Franck Moussa, who ended last season back with Blues.

However, there are other players Southend may be able to snap up including local lad Billy Knott, who has just been released by Bradford City.

Former Cheltenham Town winger Jermaine McGlashan is available after leaving Gillingham and so, too, is the experienced Jay Tabb after he was released by Ipswich Town.

Chris Whelpdale, known locally for his spell at Billericay Town, could be another option, along with Lloyd Dyer, who ended last season with Burnley.

STRIKERS

NO BLUES player was able to reach double figures in the goalscoring charts last season and Brown will be desperately looking to bring in better strikers this summer.

Lee Novak, who scored 15 goals on loan at Chesterfield last season, is one possible option, along with Jamille Matt after he excelled at Plymouth Argyle at the end of last season.

Matt scored seven goals in 13 starts for the Pilgrims and has now been released by his parent club Fleetwood Town.

Former Bournemouth striker Jayden Stockley is another possible option, along with Simeon Jackson, Nicky Maynard and James Collins, who bagged 15 goals in League Two last season.

Former Blues trio Theo Robinson, Alex Revell and Caolan Lavery are also available, plus Zak Ansah, the son of ex-Southend winger Andy.

Shaun Miller – who scored 16 goals for Morecambe is also out of contract – while Adebayo Akenfenwa has also been suggested by a number of Shrimpers fans following his release from AFC Wimbledon.

However, the 34-year-old bagged just eight goals in League Two last season.