Southend United boss David Webb was confident of completing a £60,000 swoop for Boston hitman Mark Rawle ahead of tomorrow's (Saturday) Third Division trip to Scunthorpe.

The Shrimpers chief has been tracking his transfer target for the last month and the 21-year-old striker should sign a two-and-a-half year contract at Roots Hall this morning.

"I've been looking for a goalscorer with pace and Mark certainly fits the bill," said the Southend manager.

Rawle has netted 13 goals this term, but more impressively scored 22 goals in just 27 games for Boston last season, following a bargain £3,000 move from Conference side Rushden and Diamonds.

However, Webb admitted he thought the deal was completely dead until late last night.

"I got a call telling me that Mark was jumping into a car with his girlfriend and heading for Southend, which came as a complete surprise," said Webb.

"Mark came up to our hotel at Kidderminster on Tuesday for a chat and I put a package to him.

"But after speaking to his advisors he came back asking for more and I wasn't about to get involved in a Dutch auction.

"I wasn't very happy and I decided to stand my ground and tell them that the whole deal was off.

"But I hoped Mark's advisors could still get him another club as good as Southend because it would have been a shame if he was still playing in the Conference in two-years' time.

"However, I'm pleased to say that Mark has made the decision himself to come to Roots Hall. He is coming here purely for football reasons and nothing else!"

Southend (from): Flahavan, McSweeney, Searle, Hutchings, Whelan, Johnson, Maher, Bramble, Black, Lee, Rawle, Abbey, Carruthers, Webb, Williamson, Thurgood, Booty, Porter.

Blues can expect fireworks from Guy

Hitman Guy Ipoua is the man Southend United will need to keep quiet at Scunthorpe tomorrow.

The Cameroon forward has acquired a deadly taste for the Iron's Glanford Park outings this term. In just 15 league and cup outings on home soil this season, Ipoua has blasted a phenomenal 16 of his 19 goal tally.

But the 24-year-old's place in the Scunthorpe starting line-up is not certain as he has been placed on the transfer-list this week, along with former Blues midfielder Lee Hodges.

Both players have refused to sign new contracts and with their deals running out at the end of this campaign, the Iron's under-pressure manager Brian Laws has decided to cash in.

Scunthorpe are currently 15th in Division Three, their worst league placing for three years, and have won just one of their last 11 league games.

Getting his man? - Southend United boss David Webb is confident of securing striker Mark Rawle's services in time for tomorrow's Division Three clash at Scunthorpe.

Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL

By Bernie Friend

Reporter's e-mail: bernie.friend@notes.newsquest.co.uk

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