PHIL Brown is hoping his Southend United future can be resolved in the next 48 hours.

Brown, who returned to Roots Hall for the final six games of last season, held talks with chairman Ron Martin yesterday.

And Brown feels progress is being made.

“I had a good meeting with Ron on Sunday,” confirmed Brown.

“He came across to Oxfordshire and we had a long conversation about the future.

“Nothing is agreed but we’re certainly moving in the right direction, that’s for sure.

“It will hopefully be in the next 24 or 48 hours we can announce something but I don’t want to go any further than that at the moment and it is a delicate situation.”

Blues will be in the National League for the first time next season.

And Brown, who previously spent five years in charge before being dismissed in January 2018, is keen to get the Shrimpers back on track.

“It’s a club that’s in need of putting the brakes on from the slide from when I left actually,” said Brown.

“It’s been a constant decline by the look of it and I’m not decrying anyone there or singing the praises of my own regime.

“But since I left I’ve been disappointed by the results at a club that’s close to my heart.

“It’s an important time for Southend United, for me and for Ron Martin.

“Hopefully we can resolve all those issues with something in the next 48 hours.”

And a quick appointment would also allow Brown to begin talks with his squad. 

"It’s a busy time and the players that we want to retain need offers by Thursday or Friday this week," said Brown.

"That’s the reason we need it done in 48 hours.

"We’ve moved further forward today and hopefully tomorrow we might have something.

"I’m not going to build people’s hopes up and if it doesn’t happen it’s because of negotiations, that’s all.

"I’m not hedging my bets either, I’m not trying to get anything else.

"I’ve been happy with the response from the chairman, the players and the results of the Twitter poll."

The online poll, run by Echosport, attracted 2,023 votes and saw 79 per cent of fans wanting Brown to stay at the club.