Orient boss hoping to sign Posh captain
Leyton Orient head coach Ian Hendon is still hoping to sign Jack Payne from League One outfit Peterborough, but remains unsure what the future will hold for Shane Lowry.
Midfielder Payne played for O’s against Middlesbrough during their training camp in Spain, but was not included in the squad at Colchester yesterday.
Speaking about Payne after his side’s 3-0 win, Hendon said: “We’re speaking. I spoke to Barry Fry yesterday (Friday), I’m just awaiting a reply.
“It’s a work in progress and we need to maybe have a happy medium, but we’re trying to sign the lad, that’s for sure.”
The 23-year-old Payne joined Peterborough permanently from Gillingham in June 2013 on a four-year deal, after a successful loan spell at London Road, and was made captain of Posh the following campaign.
He played 45 times last season, scoring three times, but was one of seven players put on the transfer list in May.
Hendon hopes to bring him to Brisbane Road, but it appears the clubs are some way apart on the transfer fee at present.
As for Lowry, Hendon believes the picture will become clearer in the early part of next week.
The Australia defender had a clause in his contract that said he could leave the club if they suffered relegation from League One and played for Birmingham in a friendly against Kidderminster recently, scoring in a 1-1 draw.
Hendon added: “I believe he’s still at Birmingham. From what I’m told there’s a game on Monday he’s going to be involved in and I think the decision is going to be made then.
“It’s a difficult one for me because he could come back after Monday, but by the end of August go again.
“That’s just the way his contract was written when he signed it and obviously the club getting relegated, there’s not a lot I can do with it.
“My hands are tied, but I personally want it sorted sooner rather than later because at this moment in time I can’t be using his salary elsewhere.”
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