Southend boss Phil Brown hopeful of signing the Irish forward soon following his release from Orient

East London Advertiser: Former Leyton Orient left back Gary Sawyer has joined Plymouth Argyle (pic: Simon O'Connor)Former Leyton Orient left back Gary Sawyer has joined Plymouth Argyle (pic: Simon O'Connor) (Image: Simon O'Connor Photography)

David Mooney is expected to be the next Leyton Orient player from last season’s squad to bring his time with the E10 club to an end.

The 30-year-old forward was one of 12 not offered a new contract following the conclusion of the 2014/15 campaign – before Ian Hendon was appointed as head coach.

Five of those have agreed moves elsewhere with defender Gary Sawyer the latest after signing with league rivals Plymouth Argyle last week and Mooney is set to join him in departing O’s for good.

He has been linked with a move to recently promoted Southend United and Portsmouth, who will be looking to challenge for the League Two title this year.

The former Shamrock Rovers star appears to have plenty of options as an unnamed Northern-based club in England have registered an interest in the Irish forward too.

Southend boss Phil Brown told the Echo this week, however, that he was hoping to sign Mooney and former Colchester United ace Anthony Wordsworth soon.

“I’ve spoken to the chairman and we’re very positive about the way things are progressing,” said Brown.

“People know that we’re in for these two players (Mooney and Wordsworth) and we’re still hopeful it can happen. But this could be a big week for us and hopefully we can get a few things sorted.”

If Mooney is to depart, he will exit Brisbane Road having scoring 51 times for the O’s during his four-year stay in E10 and spearheaded their promotion charge under Russell Slade in the 2013/14 season.

Sawyer, who has officially left, was also in that side, but recently expressed his delight at joining Plymouth after not being offered a new deal with Orient after relegation last season.

The defender started his career at Argyle before leaving in 2010 and eventually ending up at Brisbane Road in 2012 following a spell with Bristol Rovers.

Sawyer discussed his Plymouth return with their official club website, he said: “Since I left, this has always been a place I wanted to come back to.

“I’ve been thinking about it quite a bit and I’ve really enjoyed my time in London but I wanted to come back and I’m lucky enough that it fell right for me.

“The league’s changed but – the look of it, the people at the club – nothing else has really changed. I’m absolutely delighted to be back.”