Brisbane Road boss discusses his transfer plans for January and thanks John Marquis for his time at the club

East London Advertiser: Leyton Orient forward John Marquis looks to fire towards the Bristol Rovers goal (pic: Simon O'Connor).Leyton Orient forward John Marquis looks to fire towards the Bristol Rovers goal (pic: Simon O'Connor). (Image: Simon O'Connor Photography)

Leyton Orient head coach Ian Hendon is looking to make one signing before Exeter City visit Brisbane Road this weekend in League Two, but is still waiting to for the go ahead to do so.

The O’s are ninth in the table ahead of hosting the Grecians on Saturday, but know a victory could take them back into the top seven.

Calaum Jahraldo-Martin has already moved to east London this month on loan from Hull City, but John Marquis and Harry Lee have since departed the club.

Marquis returned to Millwall after his loan deal expired while Lee has decided to join Welling United permanently in search of regular first team football.

Orient therefore could do with strengthening their squad and their boss is just waiting to be given the green light to do so now.

Hendon said: “I am looking to strengthen in a few areas. I have been putting things together since December, when we missed out on bringing anybody else in before the November loan window shut, and I have my targets.

“I am trying as hard as I can to improve the squad and just waiting for the go ahead now. I have been trying and hopefully we can get some deals done before Exeter.

“There is definitely one we are trying to do before Saturday, but we have competition with that player so I want to do it quickly.

“I have a list of four or five people that I want and that won’t change whether it is done before Exeter or after.

“I have until the end of March, when the loan market finishes, to get people in, but I want these players in now to give us a good chance to have a real go for the second half of the season so hopefully I can get the go ahead soon.”

With Marquis moving back to Millwall last weekend, it leaves Orient with just Jay Simpson, Ollie Palmer and Scott Kashket as options up front.

Jahraldo-Martin can play there too, but it is believed that Hendon will be looking to bring in another attacker this month.

He praised the professionalism of Marquis during his time at Brisbane Road and conceded things just didn’t work out for the 23-year-old on the pitch.

“John’s deal expired at the weekend and Chopper, Neil Harris, rang me up before and asked if he could go back a day early because he wanted him involved for Millwall’s game,” added Hendon.

“He came off the bench for them at Oldham, but it just hasn’t quite worked for John with us. I think he is a great lad and he trains hard, but goals just haven’t happened for him on the pitch. We wish him all the best for the future and thank him for his efforts.”