Southend United should have a new goalkeeper in place by the end of the week.

Manager Steve Wignall has negotiated terms with an experienced shot-stopper and is expecting the unnamed custodian to sign the deal on Friday.

"I'm very pleased because he is a senior keeper and we have done well to get him," said Wignall.

"Both the keeper and his agent have agreed to the move and we will be drawing up the contract for him this week. He will then join us next Saturday for training.

"We were always going to get a keeper and now we are going to sort out a reserve goalkeeper."

Wignall has three or four youngsters who will be joining the squad when the start pre-season training on Thursday.

He plans to study their performances and decide if any will be offered a deal with the Shrimpers.

Published Monday, June 23, 2003

Brought to you by the Evening Echo