SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown is keen to overhaul the goalkeeping department at the club.

Blues’ shot-stoppers have been trained by part-time goalkeeping coaches in the past few seasons.

But Brown now wants a permanent coach in charge.

“I’m always looking at ways to improve the backroom team and what we do and I’ll definitely be focusing on the goalkeeping department this summer,” confirmed Brown.

“I think it’s time we got a full-time goalkeeping coach in because it’s what our keepers need.

“In many ways I think we’ve been letting them down a little bit by not having a full-time coach in place.

“But despite that we’ve still been able to produce goalkeepers with Daniel Bentley and Ted Smith both coming through.

“There are also some talented youngsters here in the younger age-groups who we also need to develop now.

“I think a full-time coach is something we need to do if we are going to move forward and I’ll be holding talks with Terry Mason – our goalkeeping coach – to ask him to come up with a schedule.”

Paul Smith – who has lined up between the sticks for the Shrimpers – also helped out with coaching the goalkeepers last season.

Smith has made 47 appearances for Blues but has not played since August 2014.

The 36-year-old is among those out of contact at Roots Hall.

The goalkeeper is due to hold talks with Brown about his future in the next few weeks.