Assistant manager Paul Brush has confirmed that Southend are interested in signing Barnsley striker Paul Hayes.

The Shrimpers failed with several attempts to lure Hayes to Essex last season but the 23-year-old is now out of contract at Oakwell.

Brush told the club's official website: "Paul is one of the strikers we are looking at. We want a striker who can make runs in behind defences and Paul certainly comes into that category.

"We need someone up front who is different to what we already have because at times we were too predictable last season."