Spanish central defender Martin Camano trained with the Blues Monday afternoon and should play in Southend's third pre-season friendly at Park Lane tonight.
The very tall Spaniard was seen with Scottish team Dunfermline in 2006 but has played in Argentina over the last couple of years.
Tilly told the official site: "Barring any last minute problems he will play this evening. He is six foot four tall so is the type of defender we want to bring in and the best way to look at him is in a game. He has been recommended to us by an agent and we obviously need a centre-back so it makes sense to bring him in."
First chance to replace player-of-the-year Peter Clarke fell to Estonian international Andrei Stepanov but he pulled a hamstring after only 35 minutes against Great Wakering Rovers last Friday and remains out, joining strikers James Walker and Damien Scanell.