On-loan full-back Dan Harding says he would like to stay with Southend United once his spell at Roots Hall is up at the end of the year. Harding is out of contract with the Blues in the summer and is not in manager Jim Magilton's plans.

The former Brighton and Leeds man said: "I've had talks about my future with the manager here and he knows what I want.

"Personally I would like to stay at Southend because I'm playing games and enjoying myself. I want to repay the faith the manager has shown in me too and help Southend achieve something this season.

"It's out of my hands a bit though to be honest, and it's now a matter of the two clubs having to sort something out between them.

"Ipswich will have a big say on my future and we will have to wait and see what happens.”

Harding has also been linked with Reading, who are managed by Steve Coppell, the boss at Brighton during the left-sided defender's time at the Withdean Stadium.

Meanwhile, Hibs boss Mixu Paatelainen has admitted he could lose midfielder or striker Dean Shiels during January. Earlier in the week, Town, Bristol City and Plymouth were linked with the 23-year-old, who is out of contract in the summer, while Rangers are also claimed to be interested.

Paatelainen said: "Deano is a valuable player for us, he's a good footballer, a good character. We want to have players like him at the club, there is no question about that. Everybody realises that he has started almost every game since I came to the club. I do rate him, I think he is a fantastic footballer.

"But agents are busy, especially at this time of year so there are plenty of rumours, speculation and headlines. At this moment in time, if the Old Firm came in, an English Premiership team came in, or a Championship team came in, or whoever came in, there is always a risk of losing players."

Town manager Jim Magilton has challenged his 14 out-of-contract players to win themselves deals: "They will get all our support and all our backing and if they win games they will get all your praise and they will get a deal.

"Some lads are inspired by that, others will be intimidated by that. Others seek security and that is the same in any walk of life. The strongest will succeed.”

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