Orient head coach Ian Hendon has refused to rule out the possibility of signing former West Ham United midfielder Kevin Nolan.

The 33-year-old left the Hammers this summer and joined up with Orient to train with them this week.

The former West Ham skipper left Upton Park because he was not guaranteed first-team football and has linked up with the O’s for an indefinite period.

Nolan, who has also played for Newcastle and Bolton, has been linked with moves to Sunderland, Bournemouth and Burnley but Hendon insists the club could make an audacious swoop for him if he fails to secure a move back to the Premier League or Championship in the next few weeks.

Hendon said: “In football you never say never. You never know with Kevin. If he is still here in three weeks then I’d be interested but at the moment it’s the furthest thing from my mind.

“But I’m quite positive something will happen for him before then. But if it doesn’t and he wants to play and be a part of it I wouldn’t hesitate in signing him because he’s been a fantastic player in the Premier League, let alone League Two.”

Hendon added: “I know Kevin very well from my days at West Ham and he’s a great lad. He just wants to keep on top of his fitness until something comes up.

“He’s an excellent pro and there’s not many better. He’s given the boys a lift in training and they are already learning from him.”