STRUGGLING Southend United are desperately in need of striking reinforcements as they bid to avoid a second successive relegation this season.
Blues sit bottom of the League Two table and may therefore find it hard to attract players to Roots Hall while the club’s fragile finances also make new signings tricky.
Adding to that, clubs are less likely to let players leave this season with fears the coronavirus pandemic could suddenly hit their squad and leave them short of options.
But here Echosport takes a look at 10 possible striking targets for the Shrimpers.
Some may be unrealistic and not willing to sign but, with just 15 goals in 26 games, action must be taken if Blues are to have any chance of staying up.
MICHAEL CHEEK
Age: 29
Club: Bromley
Cheek is currently the top scorer in the National League and has netted 10 goals in 17 appearances this season for a Bromley side who are 14th in the standings.
Plenty of talent exists in non-league and it is certainly an area Blues should look at more.
DANNY HYLTON
Age: 31
Club: Luton Town Hylton has experience and has more than 140 career goals to his name.
The striker has not featured too regularly for Luton this season but is likely to be sought after and perhaps unwilling to sign for Blues.
WILL SWAN
Age: 20
Club: Nottingham Forest
Swan has played twice for Forest’s first team and is currently top scorer in the Professional Development League North, scoring eight goals in eight games.
Swan scored nine goals in nine games while on loan at Truro City last season and is highly rated.
OLLIE PALMER
Age: 29
Club: AFC Wimbledon
Palmer impressed while with Crawley Town scoring 27 goals in 61 League starts.
However, he has been unable to show that form with AFC Wimbledon this term and has started just two League games so far.
OMAR BOGLE
Age: 28
Club: Charlton Athletic Bogle has fallen down the pecking order at Charlton and has been linked with a move away from the Valley.
He has 63 goals in 102 League starts during his career.
NILE RANGER
Age: 29
Club: Unattached
Ranger scored 10 goals in 49 games during his spell with Blues and has been back training at the club in recent weeks.
The striker has endured a controversial career and struggled with his time keeping while with the Shrimpers.
A talented striker on his day but has not played professionally since leaving Blues three years ago.
JAMIE PROCTOR
Age: 28
Club: Rotherham United
Proctor spent the first half of the season on loan at Newport, scoring twice in seven starts.
He has not featured yet for Rotherham since returning to his parent club but has 50 career goals to his name.
JAIDON ANTHONY
Age: 21
Club: Bournemouth
Has made four appearances for the Cherries this season and will be well known by Blues boss Mark Molesley after helping his Weymouth side win promotion while on loan with the Terras last season.
KABONGO TSHIMANGA
Age: 23
Club: Boreham Wood
Tshimanga has scored 26 goals in 53 League starts for Boreham Wood and has hit the back of the net nine times so far this season.
Tshimanga scored from the spot against Blues in the FA Cup in November and has been linked with Football League clubs.
DOMINIC POLEON
Age: 27
Club: Unattached
Poleon lined up for Blues in his youth but is currently without a club.
He has 33 goals in 107 League games but is likely to be short of match fitness.
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