Southend United boss Paul Sturrock has added defenders Mark Phillips and Luke Prosser to his squad ahead of next Saturday's npower League Two season kick-off.

Sturrock has signed the two centre-backs on one-year pre-contract agreements pending their registration with the Football League.

Both Phillips and Prosser have been on trial at Roots Hall, playing in United's friendly against Rushden & Diamonds as well as being on the bench against Eastbourne Borough.

28-year-old Phillips spent seven years with Millwall where he notched up 67 appearances.

During that time he was loaned to Darlington before signing for Brentford in 2008.

He made 37 appearances during his first season helping the Bees to the League Two Championship.

Last term Phillips turned out in half of Brentford's fixtures in League One as he aided Andy Scott's sides' consolidation in their higher division.

Fellow central defender Prosser came through the youth system at Tottenham Hotspur before joining Port Vale in 2005.

He remained at Vale Park for five years where he went out on loan to Leigh RMI, Kidderminster Harriers and Salisbury City where he worked under Southend assistant manager Tommy Widdrington.

Phillips and Prosser become Sturrock's 13th and 14th signings since his arrival at Roots Hall.