ORIENT S chief executive Matt Porter insisted this week that the club have not received any offers for central defender Tamika Mkandawire, writes TREVOR DAVIES+. Championship side Swansea City are believed to be the latest club showing an interest in the

ORIENT'S chief executive Matt Porter insisted this week that the club have not received any offers for central defender Tamika Mkandawire, writes TREVOR DAVIES+.

Championship side Swansea City are believed to be the latest club showing an interest in the Orient defender.

But Porter told the Recorder this week "I have seen the stories, but there has been no bid."

And both the chief executive and manager Geraint Williams will be delighted if it stays that way until the transfer window slams shut at 5pm next Tuesday night.

If Mkandawire were to depart on the eve of the deadline, it would leave Williams desperately short of time to fill the void, and with only three recognised centre halves in the first team squad, it would leave Orient's wafer-thin squad even more stretched.

"A bid would not be welcome and we are not looking to sell Tam," revealed Porter. "And we would not sell him unless someone was prepared to meet our valuation."

Millwall have already had a cheeky bid for the Orient defender turned down, and although several clubs have been monitoring the highly-rated Mkandawire, his recent form may have made potential buyers stall.

Porter added: "Tam is a good professional and is happy to stay."

The chief executive also added: "We have not had bids for any of our other players and, to be honest, we're not expecting any."

If Mkandawire is still at the club when the transfer deadline closes, the drama is likely to be played out again when the window re-opens in January.

With the defender in the last year of his contract and able to walk away on a free at the end of the season, the smart money would be on him making a Brisbane Road exit early in the New Year, as O's would be forced to cash in on one of their biggest assets.