Sturrock is willing to work without an assistant this season

Southend United boss Paul Sturrock has called off his search for an assistant in order to boost his transfer funds.

The Shrimpers chief is confident of getting "three or four" new players in, but is unlikely to replace Tommy Widdrington, who left in December.

"I'm putting that on the back burner," he told BBC Essex.

"I'm very much on the front foot in bringing players here. The team needs to be spiced up and there's areas that have to be strengthened."

After fending off a winding-up petition in the summer, the Shrimpers are running on a tight budget, with all of their signings this season coming in the form of free transfers or loans.

But a failed bid to buy midfielder Josh Simpson from Peterborough implies Sturrock does have some funds to spend.

"I'm very confident that by the end of January we'll have three or four players who will benefit the squad," he said.

"Maybe I'll have moved on three or four players to enable us to have a tight squad.

"And hopefully, and this is my new year's resolution, we'll have a healthier club and the rest will take care of itself."

Sturrock added he was working hard to try and complete one signing before Saturday's trip to Rotherham, but the player in question had asked for time to consider the move.

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