SOUTHEND United have offered new contracts to four members of their current under 21 squad.

Defenders Dan Matsuzaka, Harry Kyprianou and Jordan Williams plus left winger Nico Cotton have all been handed new deals.

But Ross Johnson, Freddie Gard, Harry Norman, Emmanuel Adeyeye and Brandon Scott have all been released early in a bid to help them find another club.

“We’ve given them a two month head-start on other players and we will do all we can to help them get new clubs,” explained Blues boss Phil Brown.

“They will continue to train with us and be coached by us and they are welcome to keep on doing that even if they do get another club.

“We want to help them as much as we can but these tough decisions have to be made at this time of year.

“We’ve been pleased by how the four players we’ve offered contracts to have progressed and want them to stay part of the under 21 team for next season.”