Two in now Orient boss Slade targets a striker

O’s chief is set to hold talks next week

Orient boss Russell Slade will be holding talks with a striker next week as he continues to rebuild his squad.

Defender Gary Sawyer and midfielder Anthony Griffiths have already joined and the O’s chief admitted: “It’s nice to get two in the bag early on and I’ll be talking to a couple more players next week.”

The Orient manager admits he has four main targets this summer. “That’s my main focus,” he said.

“I want to get four in. I have got a replacement for Charlie Daniels and for Stephen Dawson now, which was a necessity.

“Having lost Alex Revell, Jonathan Tehoue and Jamie Cureton, it’s obvious that now I need to get a forward in.

“I might need a defender with Terrell Forbes going and after that it’s a case of trying to wheel and deal and then look at the loan market.”

Slade is disappointed that teenage winger George Porter has rejected the offer of a new contract and looks set to move on.

“We have heard he has turned his contract down and I’m disappointed because it was a good offer. But the bottom line is we will be entitled to compensation once he goes,” said the O’s boss.

Slade is working on a reduced budget due to the new wage-capping system, but is delighted with the capture of Griffith from Port Vale.

“He has been on the radar for a while and I’m pleased to sign him as there were four or five clubs chasing him,” he said.

“He doesn’t mind a tackle, has a good engine and great energy. We need an enforcer in midfield and he is an ideal replacement for Dawson.”