SOUTHEND United head to Port Vale tomorrow buoyed by the news their manager Steve Tilson is close to confirming his long-term commitment to the club.

The Shrimpers chief and his assistant Paul Brush have both been discussing new three-year contracts with the Roots Hall hierarchy and those talks are soon set to be concluded.

"Things are going really well on that front," said Tilson, 39.

"Everything will soon be sorted and I would expect that I would sign the contract early next week."

Tilson, who has now been bossing Blues for two years, has guided Southend into League One as well as reaching two successive LDV Vans Trophy finals.

But he is still hungry for more success, starting tomorrow at Port Vale as the Shrimpers seek to get back on track after enduring back-to-back defeats.

"We obviously want to get back to winning ways this weekend," said the former Southend midfielder.

"We've lost the last two games but they have been against two of the best sides in this division, Swansea City and Nottingham Forest.

"We are still in a positive frame of mind and are third in the table, which is a great position."