Leyton Orient have been linked with a move for former Liverpool, Aston Villa and England striker Emile Heskey.

The O's are 5/2 favourites with Paddy Power to be the next club to sign the 36-year-old target man.

Heskey has spent two years playing for Newcastle Jets in Australia but wants to move back to an English club.

Orient have been taken over by Francesco Becchetti and are expected to make a number of signings this summer but are understood to be focused on signing younger players.

Becchetti has told manager Russell Slade to make a list of his targets for the team and former chairman Barry Hearn believes it is a great opportunity for the manager.

Hearn said: "I have to say from Russell’s point of view, what an opportunity. He’s one of the nicest guys in football and one of the best managers out there. This guy has held it all together for me so there’s my gratitude for the fourth longest serving manager in English professional football.

"For him to be given this opportunity is a huge compliment in the trust Francesco and his team are putting in him.

“Everyone is accountable. It’s not a question of having millions of pounds to spend. What Francesco is very sensibly asking is give me your list to do a job. Football is about the results but I don’t think there is a manager in the country, certainly outside the Premier League, that wouldn’t think the opportunities for Russell Slade are something very desirable.”

Hearn continued: “Remember Willy Wonka and the golden ticket. You can’t cash it in but you’ve got to show results from it and that gives you an opportunity in your life to put your reputation up to another level. That should be the excitement for Russell and his management team.

“He got the message from our new leader: sign the bit of paper at the bottom.

“That’s old school. Show me you’re prepared to take the responsibility for your judgment and you will be judged on the results of them. It’s perfectly fair and at the same time hugely exciting.”