"Merrick fits the criteria in terms of his technical ability and physical stature. He has a good pedigree having grown up in the professional game and at 22 is still developing."

James-Lewis joined Southend's academy from Fulham and turned professional in 2010 at the age of 18, going on to make his football league debut in 2011. Loan moves to conference clubs followed until he joined Colchester United in 2012 before dropping into non-league again playing for Farnborough and Cray Wanderers. His most recent club before making a switch to the Blues was Walton Casuals, playing in Ryman Division One South.

While Jody Brown is looking to make important additions to the squad he feels that in James-Lewis he has a player who will not be content to sit on the fringes.

"We need to add numbers, and have had Merrick in training for 5/6 sessions as well as an u21 game, and we all feel he has the ability to push to be in our eleven on any given match day."