SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown has opted to turn down loan bids for several of the club’s under 21 players.

Winger Nico Cotton and defenders Jordan Williams and Dan Matsuzaka are among those to be attracting attention.

But Brown is keen to keep the group together.

“We have had a few phone calls about our under 21 players but at the moment I think the best thing is for them to stay with us and fulfil the fixtures we have here,” said Brown.

“We do tend to get a lot of non league managers coming to watch the under 21s and most of their games are followed by the managers ringing up to ask if certain players are available on loan.

“It’s something we have thought about because at times a loan spell can definitely help with the development of a player.

“We’ve had phone calls more recently about Nico Cotton, Jordan Williams and Dan Matsuzaka but we’ve decided to turn them all down at the moment.”

Blues do currently have under 21 striker Jason Williams on loan at National League club Boreham Wood but he is out injured with a hamstring problem.

But other members of Kevin Maher’s squad are now pushing to be involved with the first team.

“Dan Matsuzaka and Joe Bedford were both in the first team squad for the game with Bolton Wanderers which ended up being called off,” said Brown.

“It’s good for them to be involved.

“But it reinforces the fact that right now I think the best way for our under 21s to try and win new contracts at the club is to stay put and not go out on loan.”