DOMINIC Naylor has almost certainly played his last game for Leyton Orient having failed to agree terms on a new contract, writes Toby Forage.

The club skipper, who was left out of Tuesday nights game as a direct result of his talks with the club, wanted more money than was being offered.

Manager Tommy Taylor said: I attempted to get a little more cash to keep Dominic but the board could not stretch their budget.

Their attitude was that if he did not want to agree to what we had offered him then he was not interested in staying here so I have had to say bye bye Dominic.

Justin Channing, another regular first team player, has also been let go by Taylor on a free transfer, perhaps a surprise but the boss justified the move.

I have already started building for next season, he explained.

I have bought Matt Joseph whom I regard as one of the best left backs around. I have Dave Morrison coming back into action this week in the reserves and I have also signed Belgian Wim Westegaard for next season.

The chairman believes we will have the strongest squad yet at this club next season and there is still more to be done to build it.

Goalkeeper Chris MacKenzie has also been signed for a year as Billy Turley has decided to go back to Northampton after covering for the injured Paul Hyde.

Taylor added: Billy does not think he will get much first team football when Paul Hyde is fit again and he is probably right.

Paul looks likely to be fit by June and I have already got a goalkeeping coach set up to help him when he comes out of his plaster.

Hyde is now in a half leg cast, a month earlier than doctors had expected.

He said: I am amazed at how well the injury has come along and so are the specialists.

I will certainly be fit for the start of next season and I cant wait to get back into action.

Orient will hope to play Hyde in the first game of their pre-season tour to Uganda on June 4.

The African nation seems a strange location for a tour but Taylor said: Itll be nice and warm so I have no complaints.

He might even spot some local talent out there.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000.Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.