SOUTHEND United will not be offering contracts to Joy Mukena or Tom Anderson at this stage.

The duo had both been on trial on with the Shrimpers’ under-23s side while Mukena also appeared for the first team in their pre-season friendly at Dagenham & Redbridge.

But Blues’ academy manager Ricky Duncan has confirmed neither player will be signing at this point in the season.

“We’ve told Tom Anderson and Joy that at the moment I can’t see anything happening for them here,” said Duncan.

“But both boys will stay around and will look to try and show us there’s something else.

“They’re both good lads and we will keep looking at them.

“You have to be honest though and they know the areas they’ve got to step up in.

“They’re not a million miles away and they’re good players.”

Mukena, who plays at centre-back, had previously been with Watford after coming through the ranks at Tottenham Hotspur.

Anderson is a ball-playing midfielder who was with Blues as a youngster before joining Birmingham City.

However, Anderson - who is the cousin of Freddy Eastwood - was released by Birmingham at the end of last season and had been hoping to win a deal at Roots Hall.

>Blues’ under-23 side are in action at Aveley tonight.