SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown expects to hear back from his top striking target by the end of the week.

Brown met with the forward for a second time on Tuesday afternoon.

And, despite immense competition for his signature, Brown is hopeful of completing the deal.

“Hopefully we’ve done enough to be able to bring him in because I think he would be a quality signing,” said Brown.

“I went up to Newcastle for the initial talks with him and he came down to Southend on Tuesday for another set of talks.

“The chairman did a presentation to him about the future of the club and our plans for a new stadium.

“There was a builder there from British Land at the time as well which was great timing and Brian Horton then also did a presentation about the footballing side of the club.

“I’ve obviously had plenty of talks with him too and there’s literally nothing more we could have done to complete this signing.

“The ball is now in his court and I expect to hear back from him by the end of the week.”

Six other clubs are also believed to be trying to sign the striker who played on loan in League One last season and has just been released by a Championship club.

Brown is keen to strengthen his strikeforce after no Shrimpers players were able to reach double figures last season.

Jack Payne top-scored for Blues with nine goals but the youngster is expected to depart Roots Hall this summer with Huddersfield Town still favourites to sign him.