Whelan rejects move to the Abbey

The 30-year-old was set for a loan move to the Abbey Stadium as part of a deal that saw Tony Scully go on a month's loan with the Roots Hall outfit last week.

However, the former Middlesbrough centre-half has decided against a temporary move to The U's.

A Cambridge United spokesman said: "We tried to get Phil Whelan from Southend but the lad didn't want to come.

"The search for a new defender therefore continues."

Meanwhile, Hull City have played down reports linking them with Southend's young striker Daniel Webb.

The 19-year-old was reported to be interesting Tigers boss Peter Taylor, who had the hit-man on loan last season at Brighton & Hove Albion.

However, a spokesman for the Boothferry Park club played down any reports linking Webb with the Humberside outfit.

He said: "The reports are coming from down south.

"It's all speculation, with people putting two and two together because Peter signed him for Brighton."