Former Burton Albion loanee Michael Kightly looks set for a return to Southend United this summer.
The Southend Echo has reported that Kightly and Shrimpers manager Phil Brown have held "advanced talks" about a move back to the Essex club - and they understand he is closing in on that return.
Basildon-born Kightly spent the latter half of last season on loan with the Brewers, scoring four goals in 12 appearances and helping the club to Championship safety in the process.
Arriving in January from parent club Burnley, the former Stoke City man was part of a cohort of loan players that made an instrumental difference to Albion's fortunes in the second half of the campaign.
Fulham pair Cauley Woodrow and Lasse Vigen Christensen and Leeds United's Luke Murphy also helped the Brewers over the line and guaranteed the club another season of Championship football.
Brewers fans had hoped that Kightly could return for a second spell at the Pirelli Stadium - but instead it looks like he favours a return home to his native Essex.
The 31-year-old was released this summer by the Clarets, where he spent the last three years - guiding them to automatic promotion in the 2013/14 and 2015/16 seasons in the process.
Kightly began his career with Southend, making his league debut at Roots Hall in 2003 before a move to non-league Grays Athletic.
Shrimpers boss Brown had said earlier this week that Kightly had been "making noises about wanting to come back to the area which is his home" but that there were other clubs in for the experienced winger.
