Tilson ponders Clarke replacement

Tilson has a few players in mind to replace Clarke

Southend United manager Steve Tilson says he will not be rushed into signing a replacement for Peter Clarke.

Central defender Clarke, 27, joined League One rivals Huddersfield on a free transfer last week.

But Tilson told BBC Essex he would take his time to find a suitable successor to last season's player of the year.

"It is still a bit quiet, but I'm certainly not going to go and get a panic centre-back, so we'll take our time and go through the list," he said.

"We've got a few players in mind, it's just a question of going through them and seeing the possibility of hopefully getting one of them."

Tilson also played down the significance of Clarke making an immediate return to Roots Hall with his new club on the opening day of the 2009/10 season.

"It's strange how it's turned out, but it doesn't make any difference to us," he said.

"We're going to have to play Huddersfield at one stage in the season and it's just worked out that we've got them in the opening game, but it'll be a tough opening game for us."