Coca-Cola Championship strugglers Southend have made a bid for former Saints striker Scott McDonald.

The 23-year-old has hit nine goals this season and impressed against Rangers and Celtic in the recent Bank of Scotland Premier League home matches.

McDonald, who left Saints at the end of the 2002/03 season has 18 months left on his current contract and Motherwell boss Maurice Malpas has ruled out selling him this month.

But Southend boss Steve Tilson, and his assistant Paul Brush, watched McDonald in action against Rangers on Tuesday and were impressed.

Southend chairman Ron Martin said: ''Steve Tilson and Paul Brush went up to watch Scott play against Rangers earlier on this week and they have identified him as someone they want to bring to the football club.

''We have made a bid for Scott and we are waiting to hear back from Motherwell now".

McDonald submitted a transfer request in the summer but then pledged to remain at the Bank of Scotland Premier League club at least until the end of 2006.

The Aussie made his only senior Saints start in a 3-0 League Cup win at Brighton in September 2001. He also made two sub appearances in the Premiership under Stuart Gray in the weeks that followed.