Southend await offers for Hooper

Southend Football Club are looking for offers for Gary Hooper, who has been told he can not be guaranteed a first team place with the club. Currently the Seasiders have two forwards on the transfer list, the other being Charlie MacDonald for whom they appear to want about £30,000. Brentford are understood to have offered £15,000 for the ex-Ebbsfleet player.

Hooper has a successful spell on loan with Hereford United and it is thought that Graham Turner may look to bring him back to Edgar Street.

"We were honest with Gary about that and asked him what he wanted to do," said Southend manager Steve Tilson as reported in the Essex press.

"He said he wanted to play regularly so we all agreed it might be best for him to move on.

"We will wait and see what offers come in but it has to be right for us and it has to be right for Gary as well."

Whilst with Hereford Hooper scored 12 goals in 19 games but has only scored 4 times in 44 starts for the Seasiders.

"I'm not sure why things haven't worked out so well for Gary with us," said Tilson.

"He did superbly at Hereford but maybe the pressure to perform gets to him more here."

UPDATE 12.30pm: BBC Radio Essex are reporting that Southend have received interest in Gary Hooper from Hereford United.

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