BILEL Mohsni is still training with Stevenage as boss Gary Smith takes a long, hard look at the Southend United player.

The central defender, who can also play as a forward, has been with the Boro squad this week as they prepare to face Leyton Orient on Saturday.

Despite being contracted to the Shrimpers, the French-Tunisian has not been playing for Southend and has had trials with Birmingham City, West Ham United and a loan spell with Ipswich Town this season.

Smith, said: “He’s been inactive for a good while now and I know his agent ever so well, it was a case of getting him in, having a chat with him and finding out what his thoughts are, but he’s still a Southend United player.

“If there’s anything to be done with Bilel we need to go through Southend United, but they’ve been very kind to let him come in and train with us.”

The transfer window has now passed so if Smith did want to sign Mohsni it could be as a loan deal.

“There’s always the possibility of a loan once the window closes...there’s still ample time to get something done for a month or longer, it can only be for a maximum of 93 days.”

Of Mohsni, who refused to return to Southend at the start of the season, Smith added: “To begin with I knew nothing about Bilel, other than what I’d heard and a lot of the things you hear are not always very nice.

“I have seen him play, he’s very effective, but the last couple of days have been about meeting the person and finding out more about his personality.

“Fortunately for him there are a couple of guys here he knows ever so well and it’s given him a good feel for the club.

“He’s not played for six weeks or two months, I like what he’s about as a player, but it’s not just always about what you see on the field, it’s how you mix with a group and what you can do in a team shape so we’ll see.”

One player who Smith has signed is central defender Ben Chorley from Leyton Orient who joined on transfer deadline day.