Manager Steve Tilson still has no news to report as he bids to bring new faces to Roots Hall.

The Southend manager has only made one summer signing since United gained promotion to the Championship.

Former Yeovil Town goalkeeper Steve Collis put pen to paper on a two-year deal last week to become United's first capture of the close season.

However, despite having made offers to seven new targets the Blues chief is now playing the waiting game - a very testing pastime the 39-year-old admitted.

"It's a pretty frustrating time at the moment if I am being honest," Tilson told southendunited.co.uk this afternoon.

"We've made offers to some potential new signings but we are waiting for them to get back to us.

"There's only so many times that you can keep phoning those players and their representatives to see if they have made a decision yet.

"It can be trying but you just have to sit back and wait for them to come back to you with some sort of answer.

"Players will bide their time though, to see what else comes up, but we're not just sitting about twiddling our thumbs either.

"The World Cup probably isn't helping things either, while we aren't looking at players that are playing, other teams from the Championship will be.

"Those sides will wait and see who they can sign from the tournament before perhaps allowing others from their club to leave.

"We're already looking though to see what else is out there and putting out feelers to see what we get back."

But while the search for new blood goes on Tilson did have better news to report on Southend's out of contract players.

Captain Kevin Maher, midfielder Lee Bradbury and defender Lewis Hunt have all agreed two-year extensions to remain at Roots Hall.

Irishman Maher's deal also includes a testimonial at the end of the 2007/08 season when he will have completed ten years service with Southend.

"It's great news that those three have agreed to extend their contract here because they are big players for us," he said.

"They all played important roles in getting us into the Championship so it's good they will be apart of things to come."

The trio are all currently away on holiday, but following their return, will put pen to paper on their extensions at Roots Hall.

Source: Official Site

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