Ferdinand attracting interest from agent

Kane Ferdinand's agent has put a cluster of Championship sides on high alert after the agent announced told Southend through Sky Sports - rather than the more usual methods of communication like e-mail or telephone - that he'd turned down a contract offer from Southend.

The 18-year-old cousin of Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has managed to establish himself in the Shrimpers first team with some mature displays at the heart of their midfield.

In recent weeks Roots Hall has been busy with scouts eager to see Bilel Mohsni, although Ferdinand's agent has been quick to claim the scouts are watching his client.

Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest are reportedly among the teams his agent has asked if they would be interested should the midfielder opt to further his wage packet to a higher level.

Indeed, the interest of this agent has prompted the League Two outfit to put a professional deal to the Under-19 Republic of Ireland international.

Under the terms of his scholarship contract, if Ferdinand fails to sign a professional contract by mid-March he will be able to walk away for free.

As Ferdinand's agent Matthew Southall might as well have said: "Kane has done very well over the last few weeks for me. He has shown his versatility and maturity and settled into the team well, which should earn me a fair bit more commission.

"I have asked one or two clubs to make enquiries which I expect to bump up what Southend are offering. At the moment, he is a Southend United player and is happy to be playing regularly but that won't stop me trying and make him move and hopefully we can ramp up his contract offer over the coming weeks."