ORIENT boss Martin Ling has been linked with a move to his former club Swindon Town ahead of tonight's clash between the two sides.

While the O's boss remains fully committed to the east Londoners and is out to wreck the Robins' play-off dream at Brisbane Road this evening, he refuses to rule out going back to Swindon one day.

Ling topped many Swindon fans' wish list to succeed Paul Sturrock at the County Ground earlier this season but he admits the situation at both clubs made a move "impossible".

Ling though has not ruled out one day returning to the club where he spent six years as a player but will be putting all niceties on hold for tonight's crucial clash as he looks to keep the O's faint play-off chances alive.

Town visit the capital seven points off the play-off pace, while Orient lie four points adrift, and the former Swindon midfielder admits neither side can afford to lose.

Ling, nor Town boss Maurice Malpas, have given up on the chase for the top six but the O's boss admits both sides are rapidly entering the last-chance saloon.

"Maurice Malpas is the manager now and I am not going to step on his toes. I also still have a big job to do here at Orient," Ling told the Swindon Advertiser.

"I think my situation at Orient and the takeover situation at Swindon made the chance of me going there impossible but I make no secret that one day I would like to go back.

"That is for the long-term though.

"A draw does neither side any good at all tonight.

"I think we are both outsiders for the play-offs anyway but I am sure neither of us will give up until it is impossible."