Sturrock became Southend manager in July 2010

Southend United boss Paul Sturrock has dismissed speculation linking him with the vacant manager's job at Torquay as "rumour-mongering".

The Devon side are looking for a replacement for Paul Buckle.

Sturrock has managed Plymouth twice and still has ties to Devon, but says he is planning for the long-term at Southend.

He told BBC Essex: "Two-and-two get put together and make five, rumour-mongering is something the papers do very well."

He continued: "I came here to put a team together and structure a football club.

"I haven't put the team together as I would like it and that's something I want to do this season."

Sturrock, who guided Southend to a 13th placed finish in his first season in charge, is meeting to discuss next season's budget and transfer targets on Thursday.

However he would not be drawn on speculation linking the club with a move for Millwall striker Neil Harris.

"I've been in football a lot of years, and this is always the time that all the gossiping comes out," Sturrock said.

"It can be disappointing for fans, who get excited about who we might be bringing to the football club, the fans will be the first to know if we sign any footballers."

The Southend boss has targeted several new faces but still has to negotiate new contracts with Craig Easton and Blair Sturrock.

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