Southend United manager Rob Newman will demand answers from the six players he has offered new contracts at a crunch Roots Hall meeting today.

And the Shrimpers chief promised to get tough with the men in question if they refused to commit themselves to Blues by ripping up the deals he has put on the table.

Newman was due to hold final negotiations with goalkeepers Darryl Flahavan and Daniel Gay, defenders Damon Searle and Leon Cort, plus midfielders Kevin Maher and Stuart Thurgood this morning.

And he said: "These players have had more than a month to think over their contract offers and now it is decision time.

"I want them all signed up before Saturday's home match with Rochdale, but if they can't make that commitment it indicates that they obviously don't want to be with Southend United.

"And if that is the case then I will withdraw the contract offers I have made and these lads will face the prospect of becoming another soccer statistic."

Midfielder Thurgood, 20, is expected to sign a new one-year contract today and it is believed that centre-half Cort and left-back Searle are also happy to remain at Roots Hall.

Shot-stoppers Flahavan and Gay are thought to be keeping their options open.

And Player of the Season, Maher, is believed to want to stay at Southend, despite the lure of a big money wage offer from Third Division rivals Leyton Orient.

Blues are ready to give the 25-year-old a two-year deal on top of an improved contract, which could persuade the midfielder to stay on the Essex coast.

Published Thursday, March 7, 2002