ORIENT manager Martin Ling this week made a move to keep his promotion winning squad together by opening contract talks with Jabo Ibehre, Wayne Corden and Adam Tann, writes Peter King.

The trio are the only three senior players whose deals are soon to elapse, but Ling is keen to tie down striker Ibehre and Corden, who has impressed since joining on loan from Scunthorpe on two-year contracts. And the O's boss has also been impressed enough to offer defender Tann a one-year extension his short-term deal following his switch from Notts County.

Ling said: "I believe they all have a big part to play next season.

"I will be looking to strengthen in other areas as well and hope to work with a squad of 25."

That means that if all three players sign, Ling is likely to make two more additions to his squad after offering final-year scholars Brian Saah, Efe Echanomi, Aiden Palmer, Derek Duncan and Jason Demetriou their first professional contracts.

l Around 2,300 fans turned up at Brisbane Road on Saturday for the club's promotion party.

A keenly contested exhibition game was the highlight of the day, with former O's boss Tommy Taylor and many of his players from the 1998/99 play-off season taking on the youth team.

Taylor's side secured a 3-1 win thanks to a Carl Griffiths penalty, a chip from Alex Inglethorpe and a neat finish from Jabo Ibehre. Jack Page scored the youth team's consolation effort, while coach Andy Scott missed a last-minute penalty.