Club legend Dean Cox has urged Macauley Bonne to remain at Leyton Orient and become a ‘cult hero’ amid reported interest from Football League clubs.

Bonne’s excellent form during the 2017/18 season has reportedly seen him attract interest from Burton Albion, Shrewsbury Town and Portsmouth as well as SPL side Dundee.

However, director of football Martin Ling confirmed to the Guardian Series in an interview two weeks ago that the O’s are yet to receive any firm bids for the striker and the club have held talks over extending Bonne’s contract at Brisbane Road.

Bonne signed a two-year-deal with Orient last summer having arrived from Colchester United and enjoyed the most successful season of his career to date, notching 25 goals in all competitions last campaign as the O’s finished in 13th place in the National League.

The Zimbabwe international finished as the National League’s fourth highest scorer and his form over the course of the campaign saw him scoop Orient’s Player-of-the-Season award.

As a result, former Orient man Cox has urged the young striker to remain at the club next season and fire Justin Edinburgh’s men to promotion to the Football League.

When asked by the Guardian Series where Orient need to strengthen this summer, Cox said: “I think injuries were key last season. Big George Elokobi is a big presence and has had a great career and he’s a fantastic player, so hopefully he can keep fit. Maybe in midfield they need a few more goals.

“Up front, I think they need another striker to go alongside Bonne. Reports are that Bonne may be attracting interest and rightly so, as he has done really well. But my message to him would be that sometimes the grass isn’t always greener.

“He’ll be first choice here, that’s for sure, and perhaps he could be the man to fire Orient into the Football League which would be no mean feat and probably where he would be heading anyway. Alright, he may have to stay an extra year in the National League but he could become a cult hero and be playing every week.”

Cox, who scored 59 times in 275 appearances in all competitions during a seven-year spell with Orient, was back at Brisbane Road on Sunday for the Errol McKellar charity match, which saw a number of former O’s take part, including John Mackie, Kevin Lisbie and Charlie Daniels.

The 30-year-old winger was due to play for Martin Ling’s London Legends during the game, but was unable to feature due to a clause in his contract at Crawley Town, meaning he had to watch on from the side-lines.

But despite being unable to feature, Cox was delighted to be back at his former club to support McKellar, who holds a special place in the winger’s heart.

Speaking about his relationship with McKellar, Cox said: “I’ve known Errol since I was 10 years old when I was playing at Brighton and he was youth team coach at Leyton Orient. It goes back a long way and if I can give back anything to him, then I will. Today’s the day I get the chance. I’m really happy that I’m here and I’m looking forward to raising as much money as we can.”