ORIENT'S Lee Steele (right) will have no problems sending former club Oxford United into the Conference, even though he still enjoys a good relationship with the club's fans, writes Peter King.

The 32-year-old forwardmade his first start in more than two months in the win over Peterborough at the weekend and played a key role in helping Martin Ling's men back into the automatic promotion places.

And his excellent frontline display following the 21st-minute sending off of strike partner Paul Connor, made it even harder to understand why he has only made 15 starts during the campaign.

But while he has been frustrated at his lack of chances this season, former Brighton striker Steele is more worried about helping the O's secure a win at the Kassam Stadium that will gift the east Londoners their first automatic promotion in 36 years.

Talking exclusively to the Guardian, he said: "It is a massive game for both clubs, because both of us need to win for different reasons.

"While I didn't play as many games as I would have liked at Oxford, I still had two good years there. I always got on well with the fans and they use to chant my name to play, but the manager at the time had different ideas.

"It won't stop me wanting to score against them because that is what I'm paid to do.

"It isn't about sending them down to prove a point for not starting games, it is about Orient getting a win that will take us up."

The former Shrewsbury hitman, who won last year's player of the season award, is likely to sit down over the summer with manager Ling to talk about his lack of opportunities this season and see whether he will see out the last year of his Brisbane Road contract.

Steele said: "Like any player who hasn't been playing, I've not been happy and thought I would have got more of a chance in games this season.

"But since returning from a double hernia operation in November, I've found it difficult to get back into the team.

"I was hoping to build on what was a fantastic season for me last year, but it hasn't worked out like that.

"I've only really played a bit-part, although hopefully I can make up for that by helping us get a win on Saturday that will take us up."