Russell Slade slammed a bid for O’s skipper Stephen Dawson as “derisory” and warned that the club will not be letting others “steal” their players.

Reports on Friday suggested Championship side Barnsley had had a bid for Dawson turned down with just over a week of the transfer window remaining.

A number of clubs were reported to be interested in the 26-year-old last month, but a new deal is on the table for the captain who is out of contract at the end of the season.

Slade however, slammed the approach for the midfielder.

“I wouldn’t have called it a bid to be honest. It was a little bit of an insult. It was derisory,” said the manager.

“It is a little warning that we won’t be letting teams come in and steal some of our better players. It is not going to happen.”