SOUTHEND United are being strongly linked with a move for Crawley Town midfielder Nathan Ferguson.

The 25-year-old has made 13 appearances for Crawley so far this season but has not featured since coming off the bench in Town’s 1-1 draw with Bradford City in mid-December.

Ferguson has worked his way up from the non-league game and played locally for Chelmsford City, Billericay Town and Grays Athletic.

Ferguson, who was managed by former Blues midfielder Mark Bentley at Grays, joined Burton in 2015 but never made a first team appearance for the Brewers.

He spent time on loan with Dartford before joining Port Vale in 2016 but he made just one substitute appearance for the club.

Spells at Southport, Bromley and Dulwich Hamlet followed before he joined Crawley in the summer of 2019.