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Orient's battle to sign local lad
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| Adebayo Akinfenwa, who has offers from Northampton and Orient |
ORIENT target Adebayo Akinfenwa has confirmed that he has held talks with manager Martin Ling.
The former O's trialist is a free agent, although Northampton, where he ended the season, are keen to keep the powerful striker following seven goals in 13 starts.
Cobblers chairman David Cardoza claimed last week he is set to offer Akinfenwa a bumper pay deal to keep him at the Sixfield Stadium, and is also prepared to table a one-year contract that has a view to a option of a second year, if the player can fully demonstrate he is over the broken leg injury that hampered his start to the campaign.
And while the forward, who was raised in Walthamstow, will sit down with Cardoza and manager Stuart Gray to have further discussion, he hasn't ruled out Ling's approach.
He said: "I have spoken to Martin Ling and he has told me he wants me to be a member of his squad, although I've also had talks with Northampton.
"I had a good end to the season there, so it is a case of weighing up things and talking with my family and working out what is best.
"Of course I'm very grateful for the opportunity Stuart Gray gave me last season so I will be talking with him and the chairman again, but on the other hand I'm a London boy and there is a chance to come home if I join Orient.
"Having been without a club at the start of last season after I broke my leg, it is strange to feel wanted again." While some O's fans may not have been that impressed with the 26-year-old's two substitute appearance during his brief trial spell with the club during the 2003-04 season, he claims he is a very different player now.
He added: "I was still only a young player with a lot to learn then, but my goal scoring record since has proved what I can do at this level.
"I'm certainly a much better player than what I was when I was there four years ago, but I've still got the decision to make and what will be will be."
Meanwhile even though Ling remained tight lipped about Akinfenwa's situation, speaking from his holiday in Cyprus he did confirm that he is keeping his finger on the pulse in regards filling the other positions within his
squad.
He said: "At the moment the main positions I'm looking to fill are a left-sided defender who can play centre half, a wide player and a striker.
"Of course while I'm on holiday I can still keep in contact with people via the mobile, although I expect things wont step up until I get back after the two weeks away."
8:00am Thursday 22nd May 2008
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