Bilel Mohsni has explained the reasoning behind his wish to leave League Two side Southend United.

It was revealed yesterday that the French defender had been handed the chance to go on trial with Premier League outfit West Ham United.

Having weighed up his options, Mohsni insisted that the time is right for him to challenge himself at a higher level.

"I think that after two years with Southend it is time for me to move on because I want to play at another level," he told the Southend Echo.

"I'm nearly 25 now so I'm not young anymore and I want to try and play as high up as I can. I could only have another three or four years in the game and I want to do the best that I can during the time.

"If I was 18 then I would definitely stay at Southend and play more matches to get experience. However, I want to move on and I now have a chance to earn a transfer to the biggest league with West Ham, which hopefully I can make the most of."

The 24-year-old recently failed to report for the start of Southend's pre-season training.