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

cobboldmassive added 05:41 - Sep 5 don't see the point, red card waiting to happen...
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dirtydingusmagee added 09:02 - Sep 5 not a bad player have seen him play a number of times ,however he has a tendancy to be a bit of a ''pepperami'',and dosnt take prisoners. Could see red a few times i think .
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boothand1 added 12:26 - Sep 7 I live in Southend and have watched him on numerous occasions. He is big, strong and scores goals mainly with his head but he can score with his feet. Blackpool came after him when they were in the premiership. How many bad players has Holloway signed. If i was Jewell I ould snap him up. Remember West Ham tried to sign him!
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