Southend United boss Rob Newman is attempting to persuade midfielder Kevin Maher that his future lies at Roots Hall.

Maher is being head-hunted by Blues' Third Division rivals Leyton Orient, who are believed to have bid £20,000 for the 25-year-old.

Maher is out of contract at the end of the season and the O's are rumoured to have offered Maher more than double his wages if he moves to Brisbane Road.

"Nobody wants Kevin to leave Roots Hall," said Newman, who will meet Maher for further contract talks today.

"We have made him a very good offer to stay with Southend and we hope he will accept it.

"Kevin has been with us for four years now and he is playing his best football, after going through a rough patch at Roots Hall earlier in his career.

"It could be hard for him to join a new club and settle in again. And Kevin needs to ask himself if it would be the right career move to join an Orient team who are struggling at the foot of the table?"

But Newman said he would not hesitate to sell Maher if he decided to quit the Essex coast for east London.

"If Kevin is adamant that he doesn't want to sign a new contract with us then I will have to cash in on him now," added Newman.

"It would be foolish of us to allow a player to walk out of Roots Hall on a free transfer during the summer when we could get some money for him now."

Maher was unavailable for comment, but it is believed he would prefer to stay with Southend if they can offer him a better wage packet.

Newman also confirmed he would be offering new one-year contracts to number two goalkeeper Daniel Gay, reserve team defender David McSweeney, experienced left-back Damon Searle and young midfielder Stuart Thurgood.

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Published Thursday, February 21, 2002