Southend United boss Steve Tilson today issued an apparent come get me plea to Norwich City as they look to fill the vacant manager's position. The 41-year-old Shrimpers' boss has been the centre of much speculation lately, not only from the Canaries, and was refused permission to speak to League One rivals Millwall by chairman Ron Martin last week.

Southend United boss Steve Tilson today issued an apparent come get me plea to Norwich City as they look to fill the vacant manager's position.

The 41-year-old Shrimpers' boss has been the centre of much speculation lately, not only from the Canaries, and was refused permission to speak to League One rivals Millwall by chairman Ron Martin last week.

But it's clear that Tilson wants away from Roots Hall and he ranks highly on the Canaries' wanted list, despite overseeing Southend's relegation from the Championship last season.

Tilson, speaking exclusively to the Evening News said: “I've had no contact from Norwich but if they were to approach the club then it's something that I would have to talk to my chairman about.

He added: “It's all speculation at the moment.”

Tilson was refused permission to talk to the Canaries after Nigel Worthington's sacking last year but it's clear he still harbours dreams of managing at Carrow Road, even though they are only above QPR at the bottom of the Championship table due to goal difference.

The Canaries have lost six of their last seven league games following Tuesday night's 2-1 defeat at Burnley and are in desperate need of a boost heading into two tricky fixtures against high-flying West Brom on Saturday and derby rivals Ipswich the following Sunday.

The Canary board had hoped to appoint someone this week after giving caretaker manager Jim Duffy two games to turn things around. But sadly the Scot has presided over two defeats and now looks firmly out of the running for the manager's job.

Meanwhile, Simon Grayson, is also being strongly linked with the post.

The Seasiders' boss is attracting the attention of various clubs after relentless success in his two years.

He has taken the Tangerines from League One relegation candidates to Championship status in 21 months at the helm and was linked with the Leicester City job two months ago.

He may again be on the shortlist at the Walkers Stadium if Gary Megson departs to take over at Bolton.

But it's more likely at the minute that he will be attracting interest from Carrow Road.

Stoke City's Tony Pulis, former Leicester manager Martin Allen, Charlton number two Phil Parkinson and John Gregory are all believed to be in the running for the Norwich job. But reports in the north-west suggest that Grayson is a very strong candidate.

The Norwich board has seen what the 36-year-old can do at close quarters when the Seasiders took the Canaries to an FA Cup replay before losing out in extra time.