Leyton Orient may need to seal promotion to the Championship in order to bring goalkeeper Josh Keeley back to the football club on loan for another campaign.
Richie Wellens’ side are one game away from confirming their return to the second-tier, needing to overcome Charlton Athletic at Wembley Stadium to officially seal their promotion.
The club also possess a standout goalkeeper in the form of Tottenham Hotspur loanee Josh Keeley, who has played a vital role behind their current success this campaign but bringing him back next season isn’t quite straight forward.
Leyton Orient likely to need promotion
As reported by journalist Alan Nixon, Leyton Orient are eager to bring back goalkeeper Josh Keeley on loan once again next season regardless of the division they are in.
He reports that Keeley is likely to have attracted Championship attention and mentions how the club may need to beat Charlton in order to have a chance of bringing him back next season.
However, what Nixon doesn’t mention is the status of what the deal involved for Keeley would be.
During the summer, the shot-stopper signed a new contract until June 2027 meaning that he would be the subject of a transfer fee if the deal for him to leave Tottenham was permanent.
This increases the likelihood that Keeley would depart on loan, which in itself gives Leyton Orient a better chance of securing a deal.
How has he fared this season?
Since joining Leyton Orient in the summer, Keeley has been instrumental to their success in reaching the play-offs in itself.
The 22-year-old has registered 41 appearances across all competitions for the League One side this campaign and has kept a highly-respectable 16 clean sheets whilst conceding just 43 goals.
This is also his second-consecutive play-off campaign, having helped Barnet in the National League last season before their heavy semi-final loss against Solihull Moors.
If they don’t go up, would it end Orient’s chances?
In short, no. A defeat at Wembley Stadium would ensure Leyton Orient would stay in League One rather than win promotion to the Championship.
However, it wouldn’t change the fact that the club would still be in the market for a first-choice goalkeeper next season.
Though interest in the Championship would be likely to tempt Keeley significantly, he would get guaranteed minutes under Richie Wellens again next season and that could sway his decision.
Promotion to the Championship would understandably place Leyton Orient in a significantly stronger position to retain their loan star for another season, but Nixon’s comments imply that their interest in Keeley wouldn’t change.
Leyton Orient fans, would you like to see Keeley back next season regardless of your league status or is there another face you’d like to see instead?
