SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown has identified a trio of striking targets.

The Shrimpers chief has handed a trial to former Gillingham and West Ham United striker Frank Nouble.

And Echosport can also reveal the Blues boss is keen on Fulham duo Matt Smith and Cauley Woodrow, who had spell on loan at Roots Hall back in 2013.

But Nouble, 25, is currently training with the Shrimpers and boss Brown is closely monitoring his progress.

“Frank was on our radar before he went to Gillingham earlier on in the season so he’s come in for us to have a good look at him,” confirmed the Blues chief.

“Seeing him up close like this is ideal and we’ll see how it goes.”

Nouble started his career with West Ham and scored once in 15 games for the Hammers before being sent out for seven different loan spells.

A move to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the summer of 2012 and he has since lined up for Ipswich, Coventry City and Gillingham.

The striker scored three goals in 13 appearances for the Gills, who he joined in October but the Kent club have opted not to renew his short-term deal and he now finds himself without a club.

Echo:

Previous loan spell - Cauley Woodrow at Blues in the 2013/14 season

Nouble will train with Blues again today and will be eager to impress Brown who is desperate to strengthen his strike-force in January.

The Shrimpers chief currently has Marc-Antoine Fortune and Simon Cox as his only options in attack and has set his sights on two Fulham strikers.

Woodrow, 22, scored four goals in 22 appearances while on loan with Blues during the 2013/14 before returning to the Cottagers.

The striker has since scored 12 goals in 65 games for Fulham and has also represented England at under 21 level.

However, Woodrow has not featured for the Championship club since September and is attracting interest from Brown.

Ipswich Town are also rumoured to be interested in signing Woodrow on loan but he is not the only Fulham striker on Brown’s wish-list.

The 57-year-old is also keen on bringing in former Leeds United striker Smith.

The 6 ft 6 ins tall striker has scored twice in 16 appearances for the Cottagers this term but has found it hard to establish himself in the starting line-up.

Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic has also hinted Smith - who cost the club £500, 000, could leave Craven Cottage during the January transfer window.