Southend United manager Phil Brown admits he would love to have Elliot Lee back at the club.
The 20-year old West Ham United striker spent time with the League Two club earlier this season but returned to east London in November.
However, Sam Allardyce's former Blackpool and Bolton assistant Brown admits the son of ex-Newcastle United and England midfielder Rob Lee is still an option for him.
"I'm still interested in bringing Elliot Lee back to the football club but I don't think he's quite ready to play on a regular basis at the moment," he told the Southend Echo.
"I've spoken to West Ham quite regularly about his progress ever since his loan spell with us came to end.
"I've been interested in bringing Elliot Lee to the football and that hasn't changed."
Brown's Southend side currently sit sixth on the tier four table, seven points off league leaders Wycombe Wanderers.
