Southend United boss David Webb is set to tie up two more signings as he continues his summer rebuilding at the Third Division club.

Webb has agreed one-year contracts with highly-rated Millwall youngster Leon Cort and former Leyton Orient frontman Jason Harris, both on free transfers.

And the Shrimpers chief is waiting to hear back from out-of-contract defender Carl Hutchings, who is still mulling over Blues' offer of a 12-month Roots Hall deal.

"I've held talks with Leon and his advisor and the player should be coming in to put pen-to-paper today," said Webb today (Wednesday).

"Jason is also keen to move to Roots Hall following his release from Hull City. He has told me he will sign a contract with us on Friday."

Webb admitted he was surprised to have been given the opportunity to snap up centre-half Cort. "When I was looking through the PFA list of released players I was surprised to see Leon's name there to be honest," he explained.

"He was well thought of at Millwall, but they have got four other central defenders at the club and have allowed him to leave to pursue his goal of playing first team football.

"Leon is just the type of player I like to work with. He wants to make progress and he believes he can do that at Southend. He won't be earning as much money at Roots Hall as he was with Millwall, but he is hungry to learn and establish himself."

Cort, 21, is the younger brother of £7m Newcastle United striker Carl, who made his name at Wimbledon.

The defender never made a first team appearance for the Lions. But he captained the south London side's reserves to the Avon Insurance Combination League title two seasons ago and was voted Millwall's second-string Player of the Season last year.

However, the 6ft 2ins tall defender did enjoy two loan spells at Conference League outfits Forest Green Rovers and Stevenage Borough last term.

Harris, 24, caught Webb's eye scoring in a reserve team game at Roots Hall last season and has also played for Crystal Palace, Bristol Rovers, Lincoln City, Preston North End and Shrewsbury Town.

Meanwhile, Hutchings promised to make his mind up on his future once and for all today (Wednesday). "I've spoken with the manager," said the 26-year-old. "We're trying to sort one or two things out and I will give him a final answer today."

Webb added he was busy trying to arrange other transfers ahead of his players' return for pre-season training on Saturday. "I'm pursuing one or two other things, but I'm quite happy to add people to the squad as we go along," he said.

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