Southend assistant boss Paul Brush says Steve Mildenhall will be United's first-choice keeper this season as Darryl Flahavan prepares to leave.Mildenhall, 30, joined the Shrimpers on a free transfer from Yeovil last month initially to provide competition for Flahavan.

But free agent Flahavan has rejected a new one-year deal to pursue a move to Crystal Palace, handing Mildenhall the number one spot at the club.

"As far as we are aware Darryl will be leaving us to join Crystal Palace and we wish him all the best," Brush told the club's official website.

"Steve Mildenhall is going to be our number one goalkeeper for this season and our goalkeeping coach Lee Turner began working with him on Wednesday.

"We believe Lee can improve goalkeepers and if he can improve Steve as much as Darryl improved under his guidance then hopefully we are well covered in that position."

More Football News from TEAMtalk