RYAN Leonard is keeping quiet on his Southend United future.

Leonard – whose Blues contract expires at the end of the season – is wanted by Championship club Sheffield United.

But the 25-year-old was reluctant to discuss the situation immediately after Saturday's 2-1 defeat against Shrewsbury Town.

“It’s not really something I want to talk about straight after a game,” said Leonard, who has been with the Shrimpers since 2011.

“I’m disappointed by the defeat and it is what it is.

“Whatever happens is going to happen but all I’m concentrating on is trying to keep playing well for Southend.

“I’m not going to change and I’ll always give 100 per cent in every game and that will continue until my very last game.”

However, Leonard was quick to express his disappointment at failing to stop the Shrimpers suffering a fifth defeat in sixth games on Saturday.

“In the first half we were nowhere near it and that’s what has lost us the game,” said Leonard.

“We weren’t at it at all and we had no tempo to our play.

“They killed the game off and it wasn’t good enough on our part.”

Blues did improve in the second half with Leonard halving the Shrews’ lead when he headed home Stephen McLaughlin’s left wing corner.

But the midfielder was frustrated the Shrimpers were unable to score a second goal to secure a share of the spoils.

“I thought we might get another one because we normally do shooting that way but it wasn’t to be,” said Leonard.

“It was disappointing we didn’t take our chances but full credit to Shrewsbury.

“I was pleased to get the goal at the time because I don’t really get enough of things in the box and it’s something I need to work on so it was nice.”