The exit door is closing fast on Southend United contract rebels Mark Rawle and Steven Clark.

Striker Rawle and winger Clark, 21, were given until yesterday to decide if they wanted to sign new one-year deals with the Blues.

But manager Steve Wignall is still waiting for them to commit themselves and has given the pair an extra few hours to respond.

Clark was due to sign his new contract at 1pm yesterday but did not show at Roots Hall and Rawle's manager claimed the forward did not realise the deadline was yesterday.

"I have heard nothing from either of them and I do not know why," said Wignall.

"I'm not very happy -- either the lads want to stay or they don't.

"If I have heard nothing by tonight I will presume that they do not want to sign and the offers will be withdrawn.

"I'm still looking for players and it will just mean that I will have to find two more."

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Published Wednesday, June 18, 2003

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