SOUTHEND United’s chief executive Tara Brady has confirmed Rohan Ricketts will not be joining the club.

The 28-year-old winger played in three pre-season friendlies for Blues.

But, as was revealed in yesterday’s Echosport, Ricketts will not be arriving at Roots Hall on a permanent basis.

“We will not be signing Rohan Ricketts and not because of finances either,” said Brady.

“It’s purely because Paul Sturrock doesn’t think he would fit in to the squad we already have here.

“In addition we also had concerns over the level of his fitness and at no point did we ever offer Rohan a deal.”

Ricketts, who has previously played for both Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, scored a hat-trick in Blues’ 5-0 win over Great Wakering in his first game as a trialist.

However, he failed to impress during two pre-season friendlies against Dundee and Raith Rovers in Scotland and Southend will now look to strengthen their squad elsewhere.

Signing a striker remains a priority with both Barry Corr and Blair Sturrock set to miss the start of the season with injuries.

The club remain in talks with a number of potential transfer targets in attacking areas and hope to soon bolster their options in the final third.