Southend boss Steve Tilson wants to keep Town full-back Dan Harding at Roots Hall when his loan spell expires at the end of the year. The Shrimpers manager says Harding is keen to remain with the League One side, but that the Blues may have other ideas regarding his future.

Tilson said: "I would like Dan to stay here but at the end of the day it's going to be Ipswich's decision.

"He's done well for us and I've spoken to him already about his future. If nothing happens then he would love to stay but if Ipswich decide to sell him to get a bit of money then there is nothing we can do about it.”

Harding's contract is up at the end of the season and Town will certainly look to sell the former Brighton and Leeds man in January with a summer free Bosman transfer looming.

Recently, Reading were linked with a move for the 24-year-old, manager Steve Coppell having previously worked with Harding at Brighton.

Tilson says he is also keen to keep Chelsea midfielder Lee Sawyer with his club for the second half of the season, a player Town have kept an eye on throughout his time at Roots Hall.

The Southend boss says the Premier League side could sell the 19-year-old in January with the Blues likely to be amongst the interested parties: "We are trying to bring him back but again it's out of our hands. Much will depend on what Chelsea do and who else becomes interested if they decide to sell him.”

The Leytonstone-born youngster, first linked with the Blues in October, joined Chelsea when aged nine and has progressed through the ranks at the London club's academy. During his final season as a scholar the attacking central midfielder recovered from a stress fracture to his back and a cruciate knee ligament injury.

An England U16, U18 and U19 international, Sawyer has impressed during his time at Roots Hall.

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