Experienced boss talks about last season’s top goalscorer, new signing Teddy Mezague and Sean Clohessy

%image(14929480, type="article-full", alt="Leyton Orient defender Sean Clohessy, in action against Cheltenham Town, is now "unavailable for selection" (pic: Simon O'Connor).")

Leyton Orient manager Andy Hessenthaler concedes it is a case of waiting to see what happens regarding Jay Simpson with the transfer window shutting at 11 o’clock this evening.

The 27-year-old has been linked with a move away from Brisbane Road since the start of the new campaign and has made just one appearance for the O’s – during the 3-0 win over Stevenage on August 16.

Various different reasons have been given for Simpson’s absence, including being unavailable to having a back injury, but with the window shutting tonight, his future should be a lot clearer by tomorrow.

“Who knows if somebody will bid for Jay on deadline day, it could happen, but we’ll wait and see,” said Hessenthaler.

“There is always drama on the last day of the window and I’m sure everybody will be watching Sky Sports.

“I can’t wait for it to shut. Like I’ve said before, I’m not a great lover of the situation. It should be shut the day the season starts - get on with it!

“You’ve got your squad after doing the work in the summer so shut the window. Then nobody can go anywhere in the month.

“I don’t like it. You do your work in the summer, get your squad in and nobody can take your players. You start the season with what you’ve got and move on with that squad.”

Unfortunately that isn’t the case and it is understood Southend United are still trying to complete a deal for Simpson before the window shuts this evening.

Orient have brought one person in since the start of the campaign themselves after announcing the signing of Teddy Mezague.

The French defender has moved on a free from Belgium club Mouscron-Peruwelz, who ply their trade in the Jupiler Pro League.

An Achilles problem means the 26-year-old won’t feature for O’s until the new year, Hessenthaler added: “The club have identified Teddy.

“Unfortunately he is injured at the moment, which is not great. He is certainly a signing for the future.

“Come January or February, hopefully he’ll be ready to get involved with us. Looking at his credentials, he looks like he could be a very good player.”

Another person currently unavailable for Orient, but for different reasons, is right-back Sean Clohessy.

Having started the campaign as first choice, with Nicky Hunt struggling through injury, he has now been frozen out.

Clohessy isn’t the first O’s player to be treated this way and Hessenthaler couldn’t clear up the situation.

He said: “Sean is just not available for selection and that is pretty much it. He isn’t available, we can go round in circles, he just wasn’t available for selection.”