SOUTHEND United striker Lawrie Dudfield is keen to stay with the Shrimpers but admits his future at Roots Hall remains uncertain.

The 25-year-old, who returned from a holiday in Florida at the weekend, is now out of contract and is attracting interest from Bristol Rovers, Huddersfield, Macclesfield and Peterborough United.

But the hard working front-runner has revealed extending his spell with Steve Tilson's side remains his number one option.

"I would love to stay with Southend and I'm desperate to still be here next season when we go into League One," said Dudfield.

"I'm really settled here, I get on well with the lads and we've done well too."

But having turned down the club's original offer of a one-year deal, Dudfield does not know where he will be playing next season.

"My agent has had talks with the chairman and I hope things can be sorted," he said.

"Things are a bit up in the air at the moment but the club know I want to stay with them."

Dudfield has yet to be handed an improved deal by the League One newcomers and that delay has alerted a number of other clubs.

Peterborough are particularly keen on the forward and with the London Road side being close to Dudfield's home town the move would suit the striker if no agreement can be reached at Roots Hall.

That could yet take a while to be decided though as his agent Richard Cody and Blues boss Steve Tilson are both away on holiday.

Another of the Shrimpers' out of contract players is Nicky Nicolau. He has also yet to commit his future to the club after rejecting an initial one-year contract and is currently on holiday.