SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown remains in talks with Timothee Dieng.

The versatile midfielder is out of contract with the Shrimpers.

But the Frenchman is still speaking with Brown. 

"I spoke to Tim again on Monday," said Brown.

"He’s not saying he’s holding out for a team in a higher division but he has ambitions to stay in the Football League and that’s understandable.

"He knows what the club is all about though and he did say he would like to play for me."

Dieng joined Blues in 2018 and has made 113 appearances for the club.