WITH Orient now safe from relegation and mission accomplished, the O s players are hoping boss Geraint Williams will stay at the club, WRITES TREVOR DAVIES. The former Colchester manager was appointed in February on a short-term contract until the end of

WITH Orient now safe from relegation and mission accomplished, the O's players are hoping boss Geraint Williams will stay at the club, WRITES TREVOR DAVIES.

The former Colchester manager was appointed in February on a short-term contract until the end of the season.

He has lifted Orient out of the bottom four after guiding them to nine wins in 15 matches and now the focus of attention switches to Williams' long-term future.

The former Welsh international is keen to manage in the Championship, but Orient want to keep the man that has guided them to safety.

Skipper Stephen Purches hopes that Williams will be in charge at the Matchroom next season.

"Hopefully, things will get sorted out, and I'm sure they will," he said.

"The gaffer has done well and has got the best out of the squad. I'm sure other clubs will be looking at what he has done and will be interested.

"But, it's a decision that has nothing to do with the players. It's out of our hands and it's up to the manager and the club."

While the players are keen for Williams to stay, the O's skipper insists that there has been little time for them to think about what the future holds.

"We've not had a lot of time to think about the situation," revealed Purches.

"Our whole focus has been on survival and we have had a hectic time with the games coming thick and fast.

"But all credit to the lads, as they have stood up and been counted when the pressure was on."

Despite Saturday's defeat, Purches insists there is still plenty to play for and declared the players will be giving it their best shot at Millwall on Saturday.

"It's a big derby game and we won't be throwing in the towel. A lot of the lads are playing for their futures," said Purches.

Williams himself, has refused to talk about his long-term plans and has always avoided the question.

But, after Saturday's game against Northampton, he did admit that he would consider staying on at Brisbane Road: "Yes, of course, this is a fantastic club," he said.

"Everyone has been working hard since the day I arrived and I will sit down when the time is right and talk about my future and the future of the players and staff."

That moment can't come quick enough for Orient chairman Barry Hearn, who wants Williams to stay.

If he does commit himself to the O's, it will be a busy summer for Williams as decisions will have to be made on the futures of more than half of the current 28-strong squad.

And loan signing Scott McGleish has already expressed a desire to stay at the club next season.