Southend United: Captain Anton Ferdinand transfer-listed and four released

Anton Ferdinand made 71 appearances for Southend over two seasons

Southend United have transfer-listed captain Anton Ferdinand and released four, including Anthony Wordsworth.

Former QPR, Sunderland and West Ham centre-back Ferdinand, 33, played 35 times this season and remains under contract at the League One club.

Wordsworth, 29, fellow midfielders Josh Wright and Jermaine McGlashan, and forward Freddie Ladapo will all leave.

Defender Ben Coker has taken the option to extend his deal, while Southend remain in talks with five more players.

They are goalkeeper Mark Oxley, midfielder Michael Timlin, ex-Hull defender Michael Turner, and strikers Simon Cox and Marc-Antoine Fortune.

Speaking after their final-day draw with Bristol Rovers, Oxley, 27, told BBC Essex: "I've already said to the chairman I'm happy to stay, so the rest is up to him now."

Meanwhile, Shrimpers defender John White has signed a one-year contract extension.

The 31-year-old made 37 appearances this season despite missing six weeks with an ankle injury he picked up in February's win at Peterborough.

"I really enjoyed last season. It was like a new lease of life for me," White said. "I want to carry that on and take that into next season."