Owls striker Clarke on Southend wish-list

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SOUTHEND manager Steve Tilson has confirmed that he could make a move for Owls striker Leon Clarke.
It follows a story in The Star about the probability that Wednesday would let him go if a reasonable offer is received, plus claims that Clarke fancies a return to Roots Hall.

Now Tilson says: " I'm not going to rule anything out with Leon.

"I haven't spoken with himsince the end of the season but we need to bring in a striker and I've made no secret of that.

"We've put together a list of about eight or nine possible targets and we will see what happens.

"Nothing is happening just yet, this is always a very quiet time of year but we know who we want and will do our best to bring them in."

Wednesday signed Clarke for around £250,000 from Wolves in January 2007 and would look to recoup at least the bulk of that amount.

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Former Rotherham striker Darren Byfield is thought to be another on the list of Southend's possible targets, after being released from Bristol City, along with former Wednesday loan centre-forward Enoch Showunmi.

Byfield attracted interest from the Shrimpers more than two years ago.

Tilson is also in the market for a left back and a goalkeeper.

Clarke has also been linked with Wednesday pre-season friendly opponents MK Dons - where ex-Owls defender Drissa Diallo is fighting back from injury and has been prescribed an unusual cure.

Dons medical staff want him to use a gaming machine, the Nintendo Wii, for which a remote control is used and which requires various movements of the arm - something that can restore mobility to the defender's shoulder.

Diallo had an operation in April and missed the climax to Dons' League Two promotion campaign.

Physio Simon Crampton said: "The various diagonal movements utilised in game play are a lot closer to normal movements than most exercises we can give him.

"As well as that, it will keep it interesting for him as standard exercises can be quite boring. Once he completes all the mobility work and we're happy he's regained full range of movement, we'll begin a strengthening programme."