Ling signs up three more

1:38pm Wednesday 2nd July 2008

ORIENT boss Martin Ling believes his side will be much stronger next season after announcing three more signings this week.

The club began pre-season training yesterday and after the latest influx of players, there will be five new faces on the pitch.

After setting his sights on six new recruits at the beginning of the summer, Ling is now one piece short of completing his jigsaw, following the arrival of Simon Dawkins, Andrew Cave-Brown and Jamie Jones.

Striker Dawkins, 20, has been snapped up on a loan deal from Spurs while goalkeeper Jamie Jones arrives from Everton on a two-year deal.

Right-back Andrew Cave-Brown is the other new name after he joined from Norwich City.

The trio join last week's acquisition Ryan Jarvis and defender Danny Granville at Brisbane Road.

And while there have been murmurs in some corners questioning the quality of players coming in, Ling is adamant that his new-look squad will deliver when it comes to the crunch.

"There have been a few negative things said about how the squad is starting to look but our big signings are still in the building," said a bullish Ling.

"You only have to look at the quality that's coming in as well.

"For example, Jarvis has come in to replace Jabo Ibehre.

"When you look at players like that I'm sure that we will be stronger next season."

Jones will provide cover for Glenn Morris while Cave-Brown will act as understudy to captain Stephen Purches.

And the summer spending will not stop there, as Ling remains in the market for a left winger, although that player will not be Robert Snodgrass after the Livingston midfielder could not agree personal terms with the O's.

Ling accepted that the talented youngsters coming in would more than likely harbour ideas of grandeur, but he insisted that he was more than happy to act as a stepping stone to help the new boys further their careers.

"Everyone feels that these lads have the potential to go on and have successful careers. I think they have what it takes to play in League One.

"I know that they will be looking to build their reputations here.

"There will be people taking note of how they're doing because they're young players with good ability," he added.

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