Gillingham’s opponents this weekend could have a new manager in place ahead of their trip to Priestfield.

Southend have been on the hunt for a new boss since the departure of Kevin Bond, who left the club in early September after losing his first six games of the League 1 season.

Among the candidates is former Celtic and Barcelona striker Henrik Larsson. Shrimpers chairman Ron Martin was in Sweden on Tuesday to meet some potential backroom staff members.

For Celtic-mad Evans, he would love the chance to take on one of his own club’s heroes and to meet him in person for the first time.

Evans, speaking on Tuesday, said: “Henrik Larsson is a true Celtic great but I am not sure if they will have appointed a manager before the weekend.

“Ron Martin is a very experienced chairman and a man I know. He will do what he believes is right for the football club and will appoint him when he is ready.

“I am sure whoever leads Southend here will want to come and win a league game. It won’t affect what we do, we want to get three points on the board.”

Southend have several names on their shortlist, including Gills’ League 2 title-winning captain Adam Barrett. Current caretaker boss Gary Waddock is also in the frame.

Waddock has called for an appointment to be made as soon as possible and Southend chairman Mr Martin was hoping to have news of a new man before the weekend.

He said: “Henrik Larsson is obviously one of the individuals that we have been interviewing but he is not the only candidate.”

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