Blues look to bolster defence (From Echo)

Blues look to bolster defence

6:10am Friday 27th January 2012 in Blues By Chris Phillips

SOUTHEND United manager Paul Sturrock is closing in on signing a new centre-back.

The Blues boss has confirmed he is currently in talks with a defender.

And he hopes to complete the switch before Tuesday’s crunch clash at home to Swindon Town.

“We’re currently in negotiations with a club about a defender and hopefully everything can be sorted by Tuesday,” said Sturrock.

“But he’s not coming in just to be a back up because I never sign anyone for that, “He’s coming in to add competition for places and to give us more options at the back.”

Mark Phillips and Chris Barker have been Blues’ first choice pairing for the majority of the season.

However, they have both been suffering with injuries in recent weeks.

Phillips is facing a race against time to be fit to face Swindon after picking up a hamstring problem during last weekend’s 2-1 defeat at Shrewsbury Town.

And Barker has been playing through the pain with a calf problem which has contributed towards him making some below par performances at the heart of the back four.

Sturrock refused to name his transfer target but the Echo understands the Scotsman is interested in signing Colchester United defender Pat Baldwin The 29-year-old has not figured for the U’s since October and could be heading for a second spell at Roots Hall.

The centre-back spent five months on loan at Blues during the 2009/10 and made 18 appearances for Steve Tilson’s side.

But Jonathan Fortune is another defender to also be attracting interest from Sturrock.

The former Charlton Athletic centre-back, who is currently without a club, has been training with Blues this week and could feature in a behind closed doors friendly against West Ham United tomorrow.

Another un-named defender is also attracting interest from the League Two leaders.