A TRIO of influential players all look certain to leave Southend United.

Player of the season Sean Clohessy, last year’s joint top goalscorer Gavin Tomlin and key striker Barry Corr were not at Boots & Laces yesterday for the start of Blues’ pre-season training.

And Shrimpers boss Phil Brown believes none of them will now be at the club next season.

“I think they’ve put a marker down by not being here and we’re now looking at bringing in other players to replace them,” said Brown.

“It’s disappointing because we would’ve liked them to stay.

“But we’re working very hard behind the scenes to bring other people into the football club and I think a new right back will be the first one through the door.

“Freddy Eastwood and Seedy Njie are also the only strikers we have at the club now and that’s not enough, so we will be looking to bring in at least another two forwards as well.

“But we only had 10 senior players training yesterday and that’s slightly worrying.”

Brown, who also added he wanted to sign a left winger, was especially disappointed to learn Corr would not be staying at Roots Hall.

The former Hull City boss had been expecting the 28-year-old Irishman to put pen to paper on a new deal, but the Echo understands he has instead opted to join Burton Albion.

“We had been expecting Barry to come in yesterday and sign a new because he had verbally agreed to do that but I think he’s had his head turned now,” said Brown.

“It’s very disappointing for me because I rate Barry highly and he had a good goalscoring record last season.

"I was hoping that was going to continue next year and that he would have a big part to play, but we’re going to have to look elsewhere now.”

Corr has been with Blues for the past three seasons after being signed on a free transfer by Paul Sturrock.

He scored 21 goals during his first campaign with the club before missing the whole of the 2011/12 season with a serious knee injury.

Corr returned to form and fitness last term and bagged 13 goals to take his tally to 34 strikes in 54 starts for the Shrimpers.

Clohessy, 26, has also been with Blues for three seasons and made 166 appearances during that time.

Tomlin spent just one year at Roots Hall and scored 16 goals in 37 starts.

But with him, Corr and Britt Assombalonga, who had been on loan from Watford, Blues have now lost 45 goals from last season’s squad.