Southend United manager Steve Tilson says he is trying to negotiate a deal with Town which would see full-back Dan Harding remain at Roots Hall. Harding – along with Billy Clarke and Matt Richards – played the last game of his half-season loan yesterday.

Tilson says he is keen to complete a deal which would see Harding stay with the League One side: "He's a good player, a good left-back and we're trying to sort out something with Ipswich.”

Harding, whose Town contract is up in the summer, says he would be delighted to remain at Roots Hall: "I've absolutely loved my time here at Southend and would like to stay.

"It's out of my hands really what happens now, but I would like to return and, although we've lost to MK Dons, I thought we've again shown what we can do.

"We shouldn't have lost and a performance like this coming on the back of beating Northampton on Boxing Day shows we are moving in the right direction.”

Harding was recently linked with Reading, who are managed by Steve Coppell, Brighton's boss during the left-back's time at the Withdean Stadium, while other Championship clubs may also be interested in his signature.

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