SOUTHEND United boss Kevin Maher is fearful of losing top scorer Jack Bridge this summer.

Bridge – who bagged 13 goals for Blues last season – will soon be out of contract at Roots Hall and cannot be offered a new deal until the club come out of a transfer embargo.

And, when asked if he was worried Bridge would depart, Maher said: “Of course.

“The situation we’re in leaves us to open to that happening.

“But all I can speak about is how much we think of Jack and the other players who are out of contract."

Blues rejected an offer from Notts County for Bridge back in February but it is not just the left wing-back who could be moving on.

“Jack’s been brilliant all season, Shaun Hobson’s been unbelievable too and Nathan Ralph is captain to name just a few," said Maher.

“We want to keep the ones we’ve got in the building because they’re our players and we know how they work.”

And Maher is also keen to strengthen his squad.

“We want to add to that, not loads but gradually,” said Maher.

“We don’t believe there’s much to add it’s just a bit of tweaking here and there and hopefully we’ll be at the right end of the table which I firmly believe we will be.”