Former Shrewsbury Town boss Paul Hurst early favourite for vacant Southend job
Former Shrewsbury Town boss Paul Hurst has been installed as the early odds-on favourite to replace sacked Southend boss Chris Powell.
The Shrimpers were struggling under former England international Powell, 49, with no wins in 11 games seeing them slip to 20th, one place below Shrewsbury.
Former Town and Ipswich chief Hurst's name is top of some bookmakers' lists to take the job at Roots Hall.
Sam Ricketts' Salop head to Essex on Saturday for a crucial relegation six-pointer in the mightily tight League One relegation scrap.
And Southend, like Scunthorpe 24 hours previous, have tried to give their survival hopes a boost by sacking Powell just 14 months after he was appointed. Academy boss Ricky Duncan is in temporary charge.
Town struggled to a limp defeat at Rochdale three weeks ago just a few days after the Dale sacked Keith Hill.
