Brisbane Road manager discusses Shane Lowry, the loan market and why Jobi McAnuff wasn’t involved on Saturday against Barnet

East London Advertiser: Orient's Jobi McAnuff (pic: Simon O'Connor)Orient's Jobi McAnuff (pic: Simon O'Connor) (Image: Simon O'Connor Photography)

Leyton Orient head coach Ian Hendon has revealed Shane Lowry’s future remains unresolved with the defender still an O’s player despite claims by his agent that the Australian would be gone by the start of the season.

On July 10, after the Brisbane Road outfit had played Braintree Town, Hendon revealed that Lowry could leave the club on a free transfer as he had a relegation clause in his contract.

The Orient boss was relaxed about the situation because he assumed the former Aston Villa trainee would be gone by the start of the League Two campaign.

But Lowry is still an O’s player and although he has been linked with numerous Championship and League One teams this summer, no move had materalised from him thus far.

“I don’t know if a deal for Shane could be done soon, you’ll have to speak to his agent,” said Hendon.

“His agent had said he was not going to be here for the start of the season, but it is the start of the season and he is still here. Until certain things are agreed with us and Shane, he won’t be part of the team.”

Hendon also revealed a deal between Orient and Peterborough for the signature of Posh midfielder Jack Payne isn’t close with the estimation of the two teams “a little bit different.”

The Brisbane Road boss did admit he was happy with his current squad, though, but conceded he may use the loan market.

“Yes loans are an option, there are a lot of players out there and the phone was ringing at quarter to nine on Friday,” added Hendon.

“I was getting phone calls about taking players, but I said ‘we have a game tomorrow so can you call me Monday.’ I think you have seen against Barnet that we are in good shape.

“We have a bench full of players that want to get in the team and that are all pulling in the right direction. If the time comes when we do need to get loan players there are a lot out there so we will go and get them.”

The future of Jobi McAnuff is uncertain, however, with rumours that he could be the next to depart.

After a busy and successful summer with Jamaica, the 33-year-old does need a break and he wasn’t included among the substitutes on Saturday.

But Hendon revealed why following the two-goal triumph against Barnet, adding: “Jobi’s been away and not been any part of our pre-season through no fault of his own.

“We’ve had a group of players that have been away. We’ve been out to Spain for a week and had a whole pre-season together so I felt it right we stick with the group we’ve got there and go with what we had.

“Who’s to say any different? It was a good performance and I spoke to Jobi, he’s fine and wished us all the best against Barnet. Jobi’s still at the football club as are others that missed out so he’s no different to anybody else.”