SOUTHEND United boss Kevin Maher is keen to be reunited with a trio of last season’s loanees at Roots Hall.

Centre-back Kacper Lopata and midfielder Harrison Neal both impressed at Blues from Sheffield United while Joe Gubbins also did well after joining on a temporary basis from QPR later on in the season.

And Maher has registered an interest in trying to bring back all three players.

“We’ve spoken to the club but they’re not our players so we understand the situation and there’s not much else we can do about it right now,” said Maher.

“The clubs want their players to report back for pre-season before deciding what happens next and I completely understand that.”

Centre-back Lopata made 18 appearances for Blues being before recalled by the Blades in March while midfielder Neal played 22 times.

Left-sided defender Gubbins featured in the final 10 games of the season for the Shrimpers.

READ MORE
>Blues to get fixture list early next month 

>Shrimpers boss backs young defender to shine