Southend Midfielder Is A Target Confirms Roberto

[Chase]

Roberto Martinez has confirmed his interest in Southend midfielder Mark Gower who is out of contract.


Reports recently suggested that the Swans were interested in him - potentially as a replacement for Andy Robinson - but until now the reports had been unconfirmed by either club.

But speaking in today's Evening Post, the Swans boss confirmed that ''He is one of many, but Mark Gower is a player we have been looking at

''You only need to look at his record to see what kind of player he is. In a way he is similar to Andy Robinson in terms of his role on the pitch.

''He can play on both wings, he likes to come inside and link with the strikers and he has 10 goals a season in him.

''It's early days to say whether he might join Swansea City this summer, but he is somebody we have been following.''

Gower made 42 league appearances for the Shrimpers last season and also appeared in both legs of their semi final play off defeat to Doncaster and - maybe more importantly for the Swans - he grabbed 9 goals a more than adequate return from midfield.

Gower joined Southend back in 2003 from Barnet and was an integral part of the side that won successive promotions in 2004/5 and 2005/6. He also scored 8 league goals in 2006/7 as Southend battled unsuccessfully against relegation from the Championship.

And from Roberto's comments it does appear that - although he is one of many - he may be nearer the top than many.