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Southend have unveiled Phil Brown as their new manager on a deal that will run until the end of the 2014/15 season.
Brown takes over the reins at Roots Hall from Paul Sturrock who departed the League Two club on Sunday.
The 53-year-old, who has been out of work since leaving Preston in December 2011, met the Southend players at the club's training ground on Monday morning before agreeing terms.
Brown has also managed at Derby and Hull City, who he guided to promotion to the Premier League, as well as a spell as caretaker manager at Bolton.
His first match in charge will be at Bradford City on Good Friday as he bids to revive the Shrimpers' play-off fortunes - they have six points to make up on seventh-placed Rotherham in their remaining seven games.
Brown told the club's official website: "I'm delighted to have been given the opportunity here at Southend and it's a challenge I'm really looking forward to.
"We've got seven league games between now and the end of the season, hopefully we can put a winning run together and give ourselves a chance of reaching the play-offs.
"We've got a few days of training between now and the game against Bradford that will give me a chance to take a look at the players.
"The Easter period is always tough because you play twice in such a short space of time, but it's a good opportunity to pick up six points and get that winning run started."
Southend have confirmed that Sturrock will return to lead the side out at Wembley for their Johnstone's Paint Trophy final against Crewe on April 7.
Eaves, 21, has scored three goals in six games for the Shrews since joining the club in February, including a brace in the 3-2 win at MK Dons this month.
His parent club have included a 24-hour recall clause in the contract but the player is expected to stay with the League One club until the end of the season.
The League Two title chasers were in talks with a player last week and could revisit the deal ahead of the window closing on Thursday.
"There could be something on the cards before the loan window closes," Vale chairman Paul Wildes told the Sentinel.
"Micky (Adams, manager) has a very strong squad already and finding someone to improve it hasn't been easy. But he wants to make an addition and we'll give him all the help he needs.
"We were close to landing a player last week, and we could look again at that situation before Thursday."
The League Two clash, which sees Argyle boss John Sheridan come up against his former employees, will now be played on Tuesday April 16. and kick off at 7.45pm.
Tickets for the original date are still valid.
Adkins, who was dismissed by Saints in January after a three-year stint at St Mary's, is expected to take over at the Madejski Stadium ahead of Saturday's Premier League match at Arsenal.
The Royals sacked Brian McDermott two weeks ago - just 33 days after he was named manager of the month - with Academy director Eamonn Dolan taking charge.
With just eight league games remaining, Reading face a desperate fight against relegation - in 19th place and seven points adrift of safety.
Former Swindon boss Paolo Di Canio had been linked to the post, as well as Roberto Di Matteo, while Brighton's Gus Poyet is said to have turned down the job last week.
Adkins has also been linked with Leeds United and Leicester City in recent weeks.
