SOUTHEND United's assistant manager Paul Brush has confirmed the club's interest in Barnsley striker Paul Hayes.

The Wickford based 23-year-old is one of four forwards on the Shrimpers' summer shopping list.

And Brush hopes Hayes - who Blues also bidded for last season - can be tempted to Roots Hall.

"Paul is one of the strikers we are looking at," said Brush.

"We need someone up front who is different to what we already have because at times we were too predictable last season. Lots of our forwards are the same, they like to face up to the ball so now we require something else.

"We want a striker who can make runs in behind defences and Paul certainly comes into that category."

Hayes is currently out of contract at Oakwell but due to his age Blues would still have to pay a transfer fee to secure his services.

They face competition from other clubs but Brush wants Hayes to pick his hometown side as they strive to find a replacement for Wayne Gray, who left the club in the summer of 2006 to join Yeovil Town.

"Wayne didn't get as many goals as we would have liked but he made the type of runs we have been missing," said Brush.

"There is no point looking back and regretting things though because there were games last season when Mark Bentley would have done a good job for us too.

"You have to look forward though and now it's all about making sure we bring in the right people."

But former Cardiff City striker Steve Thompson will not be one of those as the Scotsman picked up three times more money than any Southend player during his stint with the Bluebirds.

That has ruled him out a move to Roots Hall, but the Seasiders are also looking to strengthen other areas of their squad which manager Steve Tilson hopes will be around 23 players strong next season.

"With Efe Sodje and Spencer Prior gone we need another centre back because we only have two here now," confirmed Brush.

"We want someone who is 6ft 2ins tall or above and we also need a midfielder as we have just three of them at the moment."

"No signings are imminent but we have made a few enquiries and are waiting for people to get back to us.

"The only player we actually went for was Chris Whelpdale and it was disappointing he chose Peterborough.

"But it would hav e been a risk because he's a young lad who has never played league football before and we're looking at more experienced people now."

>BLUES have added three more away dates to their pre-season schedule. Steve Tilson will take his side to Great Wakering Rovers on Tuesday July 17, Canvey Island on Friday July 20 and Dagenham and Redbridge on Monday July 23.