Southend United boss Alan Little will begin his summer squad rebuilding by attempting to lure a new centre-half to Roots Hall.

The Shrimpers chief, who has just returned from a family holiday in Cyprus, confirmed on Wednesday that he planned to hold talks with a defender during the week.

Little would not reveal the name of his target, but he is believed to be a Second Division stopper who is currently plying his trade in the south of England.

"It's a priority of mine to bring a left-sided central defender to Roots Hall," said Little, whose leaky rearguard conceded 61 league goals last season.

"I've got a player in mind who can fill this position and I'll be opening talks with him this week."

However, Little played down talk of a move for Hartlepool winger Paul Stephenson, who served under the Blues manager at his former club York City and has also played for Newcastle and Millwall.

Sources in the north-east have linked the 32-year-old, who helped Hartlepool make the Third Division play-offs last term, with a move to Roots Hall after he rejected a new contract at Victoria Park.

"I'm always going to get linked with my old players but it's highly unlikely that I would make a move for Paul," said Little.

The Southend coach also refuted speculation that Blues' Scottish winger Gordon Connelly was being head-hunted by Second Division Stoke City.

"Apparently there's been stories on the internet that Gordon is wanted by Stoke, but it's the first I've heard of it," Little added.

Little is also waiting to hear from his quartet of out-of-contract players - defenders Nathan Jones, Chris Perkins and Leo Roget, plus midfielder Kevin Maher - who have all been offered new Roots Hall deals.

"I've had no response from any of these lads yet, but they still have another fortnight to think over the terms we have offered them," he said.

"All I can do is wait for them to contact me and come in for talks as the ball is firmly in their court now and they have to decide what they want to do."

l Midfielder Nigel Pepper, 32, who made 12 league appearances for the Shrimpers and scored twice while on loan from Aberdeen last season, has joined Blues' Third Division rivals Scunthorpe United.

Pepper has joined the Glanford Park outfit on a free transfer after putting pen to paper on a two-year contract.

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