Southend United will know if they have captured Barnet playmaker Mark Gower by the end of the week, the Third Division club revealed today.

Blues boss Steve Wignall confirmed he had met the 24-year-old midfielder and his agents for transfer negotiations.

The Shrimpers are believed to have offered the Conference side £20,000 and want to tie the former Spurs youngster to a two-year deal.

"I have spoken to Mark and he seems keen to come here -- he wants to get back into League football," said Wignall.

"Mark only lives in Romford so it would be an easy move for him to join us at Roots Hall.

"His representatives have said they will give me a definite answer by Friday, but it could happen before then."

Wignall also said he had offered another contract to a striker, who has been released by a northern Premiership club this summer.

"I have put a package to a striker and now he has gone away to think about it," added the Shrimpers chief.

"He can play out wide as well, but I am looking at him predominantly as coming here as an out-and-out forward."

But Wignall denied Blues had ever attempted to sign Farnborough Town frontman Rocky Baptiste, who claims to have turned down Southend to stay in the Conference with Stevenage Borough. "There was never any question of Rocky coming here," said Wignall.

Published Tuesday, July 1, 2003

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