Laird joins Shrimpers on loan

Southend have signed former Manchester City and Millwall man Marc Laird on loan from Leyton Orient until the start of January.

Shrimpers boss Paul Sturrock has been chasing a mystery midfielder for some time and was poised to do a deal last week until injury scuppered his plans. But he has been patient and having run the rule over Laird in training this week, Sturrock has finally got his man. The 26-year-old Scot has managed just two substitute appearances for Orient this season and is keen for regular first-team football at Roots Hall, while Sturrock has also set his sights on adding another new face next week. "Marc will add something that we are lacking in the middle of the park," he told Southend's official website. "He's a good passer and he will add some strength and experience there. "We still probably need another player in there and hopefully we can make that happen next week now."