Southend United supremo Ron Martin confirmed today that efforts to resolve the club's compensation dispute with former manager Steve Wignall are still far from settled.

Wignall is suing Blues for a sum believed to be in the region of £25,000, which has remained unpaid following his Roots Hall sacking last November.

The Shrimpers' deputy chairman Geoffrey King met the former Colchester boss on Tuesday, but no agreement was made.

"Wignall proposed a settlement figure which we refused, but we will be reviewing it again in the next few days," explained Martin.

"That's all I'm prepared to say at the moment."

The figure Wignall is claiming represents six months pay from the last 18 months of his contract.

He is believed to be willing to compromise at the £20,000 mark, but Blues have so far refused to budge.

Published Thursday July 8, 2004

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