Former Arsenal forward has been linked with Championship clubs but is happy with the O’s

East London Advertiser: Leyton Orient forward Jay Simpson gets to grips with a Morecambe opponent (pic: Simon O'Connor).Leyton Orient forward Jay Simpson gets to grips with a Morecambe opponent (pic: Simon O'Connor). (Image: Simon O'Connor Photography)

Leyton Orient head coach Ian Hendon accepts clubs are going to watch Jay Simpson because of his strong form, but remains confident he will stay with the east Londoners.

The 26-year-old has scored 11 times already this season in 15 matches in League Two and his goals have helped the O’s sit sixth in the table.

Reports circulated before last weekend’s match at Morecambe that Championship teams were watching the former Arsenal man.

MK Dons as well as the likes of Fulham, Ipswich Town and Brentford were speculated to be interested in Simpson.

But Hendon hasn’t been contacted about his forward, he said: “I have heard nothing about reports linking Jay with other clubs.

“Listen people are going to be watching him, without a doubt and rightly so because of the goals he has scored.

“Jay could have had another couple to be fair so he is going to create interest the way he is playing and I hope that continues.”

Simpson has already commented on his future and insisted he is happy at the club and settled with life in London.

He is currently in the second of a three-year contract and Hendon appeared confident that Orient’s top goalscorer will be here for the rest of the campaign.

Many might have expected the forward to leave in the summer alongside the likes of Darius Henderson and Shane Lowry.

But he has stuck around and the O’s will be hoping that remains the case, Hendon added: “Nobody wants to lose their top goalscorer do they?

“I am hoping that is not the case and we have had no contact with anybody.

“I am hoping Jay is here for the rest of the season. He has got another year left on his contract and hopefully he continues and keeps banging the goals in.”