Defender has signed for Blues on loan from Championship side Burnley

Southend United have completed a move for Burnley right-back Luke O’Neill, who joins on a 30-day emergency loan deal with a view to extending it after this time.





O’Neill, who is highly rated by the Clarets, was on loan at York City earlier in the season and featured at Roots Hall back in November.





The 22-year-old came through the youth system at Leicester City before spending time out on loan at Tranmere Rovers and Kettering Town.





He joined Mansfield Town in 2011 and made 45 appearances for the Stags before Burnley swooped to take him to Turf Moor.





He has since featured twice for the Clarets’ first-team and played 16 times for York earlier this season.





The deal ended in January and Phil Brown has moved quickly to bring in a replacement for the injured John White.





O’Neill will go straight into the squad for Saturday’s game against Chesterfield at Roots Hall.





Brown said: “I’m delighted to have Luke here for a month because we’re in need of cover at right-back with our captain out injured.





“Ryan Leonard filled in at Plymouth and did a good job, but we missed him in the midfield.





“Luke is very highly rated and I was impressed by him when we played York earlier in the season, I’m sure he’ll settle in quickly here.”





O’Neill will wear the number 32 shirt for Blues during his loan spell.





A full interview with Luke will be on Blues Player shortly, as well as his thoughts on the official site following his loan move.