Out-of-contract players set for exit?

East London Advertiser: Orient's Scott Cuthbert exchanges words with a Swindon rival in his last appearance for the club (pic: Simon O'Connor)Orient's Scott Cuthbert exchanges words with a Swindon rival in his last appearance for the club (pic: Simon O'Connor) (Image: Simon O'Connor Photography)

Leyton Orient look set for a summer of massive upheaval as they prepare for life in League Two.

With manager Fabio Liverani having left the Brisbane Road club late last week, it is believed that half of the first-team squad will also follow the Italian through the exit door.

It is understood that a group of 12 out-of-contract players, including top scorer Chris Dagnall, Scott Cuthbert and David Mooney, will not be offered new deals.

And that means whoever does eventually take over the managerial reins – with Steve Lomas, Darren Ferguson and Paul Tisdale among the frontrunners according to bookmakers – will need to undertake either a big recruitment drive, or to promote several players from the youth-team squad.

Defenders Elliot Omozusi and Gary Sawyer, strike duo Kevin Lisbie and Shaun Batt, midfielders Josh Wright and Marvin Bartley, Italians Andrea Dossena and Gianvito Plasmati are also out of contract this summer, along with youngster Harry Lee.

And although the club will not confirm their exits at this point in time, Bartley posted a message on Twitter that said: “And then there were 12...” which it is believed refers to those remaining on the Orient payroll.

Goalkeeping trio Gary Woods, Adam Legzdins and Charlie Grainger have contracts beyond this season, along with strikers Darius Henderson and Jay Simpson, midfielders Dean Cox, Jobi McAnuff, Lloyd James and Romain Vincelot – who is recovering from knee ligament damage – and defenders Nathan Clarke, Shane Lowry and Mathieu Baudry.