ORIENT boss Geraint Williams is determined to keep his prize players, as the big kick-off looms into view.

Williams was speaking to the Guardian after Tuesday's friendly at Ebbsfleet about speculation over the future of highly-rated players like defender Tamika Mkandawire and midfielder Jason Demetriou, which has rumbled on for most of the off-season.

Williams said: “We're determined to hold on to all good players whom we want to keep at Leyton Orient, not just certain individuals.

“So we will do our very best to keep the players who are here. They're all under contract, so unless an offer comes in which we're totally unable to turn down, then we will keep them at this club.”

He also hinted that a further two new faces could be arriving at Brisbane Road soon, and said he was untroubled at being forced to make a little cash go a long way in the transfer market.

“We're always looking and always making phone calls, and sometimes things take a while to mature. We're looking to get one or two bodies in,” he said.

“The one thing you can say you do need, is for the chairman to give you a budget, so you know exactly what you're working with. Then you can plan and have a strategy. Our chairman has done that. I've had that in place since probably the end of last season.

“I knew where I was and that's why players have had to leave to create some money to bring new ones in.”

He listed the qualities that new striker James Scowcroft has which Orient need.

“Quality, size, ability and attitude. All the things we look for in every player. James has come in to give them in the centre-forward position.”

Scowcroft made a second-half appearance in the 3-2 defeat at Ebbsfleet.

It was Demetriou and Scott McGleish who struck for the O's in a goals-packed first half, before Ebbsfleet's 56th-minute winner.

Afterwards, Williams said he was learning more and more about his side during the pre-season campaign.

“What I know now is that we have to make sure exactly when and when not to play. Tonight (at Ebbsfleet) we started with plenty of space and played well, but in the second half they shut our space down and we still tried to play the same way.

"Come the first game on August 8 we won't even get that sort of space, and that's when you need to turn teams around, get in behind them and play in their half for five or ten minutes. That's something we'll iron out between now and the start of the season.

"Right now, we're dotting the 'I's and crossing 'T's to make sure we're word perfect.

“Since we've come back, everyone has worked very hard. They're a good, honest bunch of professionals and we're delighted to be working together.

“We're fully back in the swing of things."