Pratley, 40, not offered new Orient playing deal
Leyton Orient will not offer 40-year-old Darren Pratley a new playing contract but are in talks with the veteran midfielder about another role, the League One club say.The O's finished sixth in the league this season and reached the play-off final, where they were beaten by London rivals Charlton at Wembley.Pratley was not involved in any of the O's play-off matches but made 43 appearances this season, and 165 in total for the club over four seasons."Darren Pratley has been a huge part of what we have achieved in the last few years," director of football Martin Ling told the club's website, external. "We won't be offering him a new playing contract but would love to keep him in and around us, so are speaking to him about another role. We hope he decides to stay but will respect whatever decision he comes to."
Beckles, Agyei and Ball in contract talks
Pratley is one of eight players who have been released by the O's at the end of their contracts, along with Jayden Sweeney, Randell Williams, Joe Pigott, Sam Howes, Rhys Byrne, Reon Smith-Kouassi, Thomas Avgoustidis.Richie Wellens said after the final loss it was "heart-breaking" knowing the squad would be broken up, with loan stars Charlie Kelman, Josh Keeley, Jack Currie, Jamie Donley and Dilan Markanday all returning to their parent clubs."Our loan players have been fantastic this year, and I'm sure that they will all go on to have successful careers, wherever they may end up," Ling said.Omar Beckles, Dom Ball and Dan Agyei are among the players in contract talks with the club.Jack Simpson, Noah Phillips and Makai Welch have also held talks."We are in talks with a number of first-team players about new contracts and hope that these players will decide to stay with us," Ling added. "We are building something good at the club and want them to continue being part of it. "It is a very important summer for us, and all the decisions we have made – some of which have been very difficult – have been made with the future of Leyton Orient in mind."
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