Southend central defender, striker or winger Bilel Mohsni is training with Town this week, we understand. The 25-year-old French-Tunisian, who was at Playford Road today, is definitely on his way out of Roots Hall despite having a year remaining on his contract and was close to joining West Ham earlier in the summer.

Paris-born Mohsni, who is primarily a centre-half, played for French lower league clubs CO Les Ulis, US Saint-Georges and Sainte-Geneviève Sports before joining Southend after a trial in July 2010.

Southend rebuffed a £250,000 offer from Blackpool in January 2011 with Mohsni having made a good early impression.

He faced the Blues in the 1-1 pre-season draw at Roots Hall prior to the start of the 2011/12 season, playing one half at the back and one up front and almost getting himself sent off for clashing with Lee Martin, Andy Drury amongst others in a lively, effective and not a little volatile performance.

Last season, cult figure Mohsni operated as a striker and then as a winger for Paul Sturrock’s side but failed to show for the start of pre-season training this time around as he was looking to play at a higher level, subsequently joining West Ham on trial.

The Hammers were impressed enough to offer £150,000 for 6ft 3in tall Mohsni but the Shrimpers refused the offer and the player returned to France.

Last week, he spent time with Celtic on trial but with the transfer window having closed last Friday a switch to the SPL champions — if they were interested - now couldn’t take place until January.

With the emergency loan window opening this coming weekend, the Blues or any other Football League club who might be interested could sign him on an initial loan with a view to a permanent deal in January.

Photo: Action Images

davidsc1971 added 00:01 - Sep 4 I play defence. Sign me, I can be cheap ;-))
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exeterblu added 00:11 - Sep 4 Best. Picture. Ever.
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TheHanwoodTractor added 00:13 - Sep 4 I like the looks of this guy. Versatile and pretty fun to watch it seems
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Edmunds5 added 00:27 - Sep 4 I chuckled when I saw this because he was a right rebel under Sturrock last season but scored 12 from centre half!, we need a solid defender, an established defender, if he is that then why not, he would be a handy squad player anyway because of how short of defenders we are.
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wkj added 00:50 - Sep 4 @Edmunds5 I agree, and he really seems to have a good grasp of the nuts and bolts of football by the looks of it.
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Tractamatt added 02:14 - Sep 4 If we sign him our side might have some actual bite in it. Could be worth it for the comedy value alone.
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wychyblue added 07:32 - Sep 4 Saw this guy play at Crewe in play off semi final last year and he played up front for most of the game as Southend played very direct, but he was a handful but decent aswell. Played then at the back for a while and he tick alot of the boxes that PJ is after ie big , strong dominant centre back. Could become a bit of a cult figure at PR also. Watched that game at Crewe with a pal of mine who was a manager of a championship side at the time and he said he was aware of quite a bit of interest in him so I guess he would be worth a punt( and seems to fit our budget!!)

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andygizmo added 07:38 - Sep 4 11 of him and we could have a team playing total football..... except of course being French they would all want to play up front... I know nothing about him but at 6 foot 3 he is head and shoulders above our midgets!
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 07:43 - Sep 4 Hmmm. Hope he's not TOO "volatile" or we may end up with only 10 men on the pitch most of the time, which would rather defeat the object. Voilà!
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BlueBob added 08:29 - Sep 4 The last defender/striker I can remember is Ian 'the mullet' Marshall. I f this guy can be half as effective he'll be a good signing!
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essexblue_itfc added 08:46 - Sep 4 He's a lazy player who only does it when he fancies. Would cause too much disruption in the team. Wouldn't touch him with a barge pole
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bigolconnor added 08:47 - Sep 4 This guy.... This guy (points at player)
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bigolconnor added 08:50 - Sep 4 How many times washe carded last season?
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guernseyblue added 08:51 - Sep 4 Wikipedia says 'In December 2011 he was given his 'last chance' due to many suspensions' Just what we need
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callmeted added 08:59 - Sep 4 who could he room with ? For his no nonsense attitude seems JET maybe the ideal companion
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Wickets added 08:59 - Sep 4 Seems quite a loyal, nice,quiet sort of a chap!!
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NoelTheDub added 09:00 - Sep 4 why is it every time were linked with a player it turns into a big puzzle. the joke goes on at this club,this guy playes cb wing and upfront buy now and we are getting 3 for the price of 1 good buisness in my eyes better than tesco or asda...what next for this club buy 1 player and get 1 free or 50percent off a cb if you cover his medical bills.joke this management......

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Wickets added 09:01 - Sep 4 R U Barton in disguise
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Dog added 09:09 - Sep 4 Ipswich61 - I am not a Jewell fan. if you have seen the size of my head (the one on my shoulders) you will know that it could never fit up his big fat scouse bottom. I am a Town fan. I want continuity. I will support the manager and team. i do not want change for the sake of change when there is nothing better on offer. You do not get rid of a manager after four games. The board had to get rid of him either at the end of last season or after the first ten games. They have chosen the latter. I will support the team, even if it means putting up with Jewell and some of the crazy team selections, transfer decisions because creating disharmony as a negative effect on the players. Cannot comment on this bloke as i have never heard of him or seen him play.

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dannyhegan added 09:23 - Sep 4 Richard Naylor did a good job, sometimes up front sometimes at the back
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soclopath added 10:08 - Sep 4 France's answer to Derek Jefferson if he's no good we can sell him to Wolves history cod repeat it's self
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hollywoodginge added 10:10 - Sep 4 He's got a touch of the Zlatan Ibrahimovic's about him, he's not my cup of tea either, this guy sounds pretty erratic and whilst everybody likes a character I get the impression from this article he's more a liability than anything else, I may be wrong though.
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daniel9624 added 10:12 - Sep 4 Seen this guy a few times, he is a very good if not great centre-back, the other positions are very much alternates. He is slightly bonkers, but seemed to calm a little last season. WILL deal with crosses, something we have been lacking, and is quick so copes well with balls in behind. The only time he struggles is faced up with a quick winger/striker, that's when he wild hacks and gets into trouble. I'd take him, timing is everything and maybe he is getting to an age where he can settle into a club and calm down

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Lombokblue added 10:13 - Sep 4 Agents circulate stories about offers to get their player signed. If so many clubs want him and he wants away why is he still there ? Look who he has played for. We have quite a few average defenders, wingers and strikers I'd prefer some one who is good at one of them
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town1328 added 10:30 - Sep 4 sounds like a decent and versatile palyer, especially if on blacpool's radar!
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