Hendon is hoping Posh’s Payne can become an O!
Leyton Orient head coach Ian Hendon watches on during pre-season (pic: Simon O'Connor). - Credit: Archant
Orient head coach gives update on Payne, the trialists and previews Colchester clash
Leyton Orient head coach Ian Hendon is hoping to conclude a deal with Peterborough that will bring Jack Payne to Brisbane Road.
The 23-year-old midfielder has been training with the O’s in Spain over the past week.
Posh are willing to let their captain from last season leave as long as a fee can be agreed between the two clubs and Hendon hopes that is possible.
He did admit, however, that he is working within a budget.
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“I think there is a deal to be done with Jack – well, with Peterborough,” said Hendon.
“I know what they paid for him and he is a very good player and someone we are definitely interested in.
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“But I have a budget to work within. I would love to bring Jack to the club within that budget and he understands that. If we can’t do that he will have to find himself a club.”
The head coach also admitted some of the players who have been on trial with the O’s over the past few weeks could sign permanently soon.
Frazer Shaw, Connor Essam and Alex Woodyard played against Braintree Town on July 10 and were out in Spain.
Hendon admitted some of them could agree deals with Orient shortly, adding: “All the trialists have knuckled down and did what we have asked them to do.
“There will be some movement regarding all of them, some might not get deals, but a couple will. They have all done really well out in Spain.”
Orient played three friendly matches while out in Malaga as they stepped up their plans for the new League Two season.
They played Championship sides Huddersfield Town and Middlesbrough before finishing with a clash against a trialist team called Los Iberos. O’s were beaten 3-1 by Boro, with Paul McCallum on target, and lost 2-0 to the Terriers.
Orient then defeated Los Iberos 5-0 with new recruit Ollie Palmer helping himself to a hat-trick, while McCallum and Dean Cox were also on target.
Hendon’s side will now prepare to face League One opposition on Saturday as they travel to the Weston Homes Community Stadium to play Colchester United.
After that, the O’s travel to National League Woking on Tuesday (July 28).
Hendon added: “Hopefully it will be a decent temperature on Saturday to give the players a breather. In Spain it was hard.
“We were standing on the touchline sweating watching the games and it was incredibly difficult for the players, they were saying the soles of their feet were burning so we are looking forward to Saturday.
“It will be nice to be back playing in England again in a very good stadium.
“I would like to get my squad completed by the time we play Woking, but you never know what could come up.
“Ideally we would like to have the squad sorted by the time we play Woking and Stortford, but we will have to wait and see.”