STRIKER Scott McGleish will be staying at Orient next season, writes TREVOR DAVIES. The 35-year-old hitman, who played a key role in helping the O s stay up, has agreed to sign a one-year deal - much to the delight of manager Geraint Williams. McGleish, w

STRIKER Scott McGleish will be staying at Orient next season, writes TREVOR DAVIES.

The 35-year-old hitman, who played a key role in helping the O's stay up, has agreed to sign a one-year deal - much to the delight of manager Geraint Williams.

McGleish, who had two spells at Orient earlier in his career before joining the O's on loan in February, made no secret of the fact that he would like to stay at Brisbane Road.

With no new offer on the table from his parent club Wycombe Wanderers, McGleish was one of four players offered a contract at Brisbane Road, along with Sean Thornton, Andrew Cave-Brown and Loick Pires.

Cave-Brown and Pires accepted their deals and now McGleish has decided to put pen to paper, which leaves only midfield star Thornton to make up his mind.

A jubilant O's boss said: "I'm delighted that Scott is going to sign. He was a big influence in the team and in the dressing room last season."

McGleish netted five times and helped spark a revival under Williams, as the O's finished comfortably in 14th.

"I knew Scott from my time at Colchester and felt he was the type of player we needed when I came to the club," said Williams. "He certainly didn't let anyone down and he fully deserved his contract offer."

Although McGleish, Cave-Brown and Pires are staying, Williams knows he still has plenty of work to do as, after releasing almost half the squad, he still only has 14 players signed for next season.

"The fact that Scotty is staying is just one small part of the jigsaw," admitted Williams.

"There were a lot of players who have left the club and we need to bring more in. I would like to tie things up quickly, unfortunately, it's not always that easy.

"You cannot blame players for waiting to see if they can get a better deal, but now the play-offs have been settled and everyone knows what division they will be playing in next season, it may force a few issues.

"I have been back on the phone today and will keep trying to strengthen the squad."

Midfielder Thornton will have until next week to make a decision on whether to accept the offer.

"I have spoken to Sean and he will be letting us know," explained Williams, as players have 28 days to make up their mind after being offered a new deal.

There was speculation that Shrewsbury Town, who took Thornton on loan at the start of last season, would be keen to sign the midfielder, but that now looks unlikely after their bid to win promotion failed in last weekend's League Two play-off final.

With all the promotion issues now settled and Gillingham returning to League One, it will be another southern-based side for O's to play.

"It's going to be great for the fans, there are some mouth-watering games," said Williams.

"Once the fixtures are out it will really whet the appetite."

Six of the seven new sides in League One, Charlton, Southampton, Norwich, Brentford, Wycombe and Gillingham, should all help boost gates at Brisbane Road.