ORIENT lynchpin Tamika Mkandawire wants to play at a higher level and thinks Leyton Orient could be the team to take him there.

The 25-year-old centre back was a stalwart in defence all through last season as Orient first flirted with, and then beat, the drop out of League One.

His consistent class garnered him praise and some admirers too.

On Monday, MK Dons were the latest club to be linked with a move for him.

The Milton Keynes club is in the hunt for a promotion up to the Championship.

But Mkandawire has moved to quash those rumours. He also backed Orient boss Geraint Williams to build a squad capable of mounting a promotion challenge next season.

“I’ve not heard anything (transfer rumours) and I’m contracted at Orient for another year so I’m expecting to be at Orient next season” he said.

“I would be lying if I said I don’t want to play at a higher level, that’s what any player wants. If we can get new players in and then get some momentum, I see no reason why we cannot get into the play-offs. Look at Scunthorpe, they’ve done well with a smallish squad and a small budget .“ The Iron are currently locked in a play-off battle with MK Dons. If they win, they face a final against either Millwall or Leeds to decide who goes up.

Mkandawire believes that goals are what is needed at the Matchroom Stadium for Orient to do the same next year.

“If you look at the teams at the top they all have characters scoring 25 goals a season, and no disrespect to our boys, that’s what makes the difference.”

A lack of goals were the root cause of Orient’s woes last season. At the same time the defence was one of the meanest in the division.

“It was difficult.” reflected Mkandawire. “Our defensive record was decent, but we had problems scoring goals and that’s not just the strikers fault. It’s something we all have to work on for next year, and I’m sure the gaffer is more than aware of that.”

Williams has drawn up a fitness regime for Malawi born Mkandawire so he can hit the ground running when the new season kicks off in August.

And it could pay dividends if he next meets players like Adebayo Akinfenwa, who has been relegated to League Two with Northampton.

“He (Akinfenwa) is a monster. His strength is ridiculous” Mkandawire said. “You know he will bolldoze you.

“The plan is part of being a professional. You cannot afford to completely relax , you have to keep your fitness.”

The Orient man rates the away win at MK Dons in February as his favourite performance of the campaign.

“We were 1-0 down, so to come back and win 2-1 and also for Jonesy (keeper Jamie Jones) to save a penalty was special. That game was a big turning point for me, as our performances picked up after that. We played decent football and got results.”

More of the same spirit from Orient next season could see Mkandawire get his wish for Championship football.