ATTACKING midfielder Jay O’Shea looks set to line up for Chesterfield at Roots Hall tomorrow.

But if things had worked out differently he could well have been playing Southend United this weekend.

Shrimpers boss Phil Brown tabled an offer for the 28-year-old during the summer.

And the Blues chief has now revealed a move was close to being completed.

“It was fairly close,” said Brown, who eventually signed Adam King on loan from Swansea City to boost his midfield.

“We made financial inroads where Chesterfield were concerned and at that time Danny (Wilson) was making massive changes to try and get his stamp on the team.

“But we couldn’t get a deal done in the end.”

O’Shea therefore remains with Chesterfield.

However, Brown is not sure if the midfielder is fully focused on the Spireites.

“Players get their heads turned and I could make reference to Ben Coker when there was interest in him,” said Brown.

“When that happens they lose their focus.

“I firmly believe Ben is focusing on Southend now the transfer window has closed.

“But I think Jay O’Shea’s focus was turned away and I don’t know if they’ve got it back.

“If he’s playing and on song then he’s a real player though and that’s obviously why we were interested.”