ORIENT manager Martin Ling told six of his out-of-contract players the news that they would not have their contracts renewed on Tuesday - and he admitted that some difficult decisions had to be taken.

Wayne Corden, Sam Oji, Jabo Ibehre, Efe Echanomi, Raphael Sylvester and Clayton Fortune have all been released by the Brisbane Road club, while loanees Andy Barcham and Charlie Daniels return to Tottenham Hotspur, and midfielder JJ Melligan has been transfer listed.

It means there will be another hectic summer ahead for the O's boss as he builds his squad for the 2008/09 campaign, but it is a challenge he is relishing.

He said: "We've decided to release six players.  Jabo has been with us for eight years and he has always been talked about as a player who could move on to a better level.

"He's probably stood still a little bit for the last couple of years, with him being in and out of the side - but still a useful asset to the squad.

"I think the timing is right for him and for us to move on.

"Wayne Corden was told a while ago that there wouldn't be another contract for him next year and he has spend the last part of the seasn on loan at Notts County.

"Sam Oji did a good job for us, but I feel that we need a player with more versatility in there.  When you're working with a small squad you need players able to play in more than one position and I'll be looking for someone who is able to do that.

"Efe Echanomi hasn't had much chance this season and I don't think he's been quite the same player since his injury.  He needs to get more pitch time, so I think it is right that he moves on to get that.

"Raphael Sylvester was in the third year of a scholarship, but hasn't been able to push for the first team.  Like Efe, he needs to move on to play more games somewhere else.

"Clayton Fortune didn't turn out to be a good signing for me, the football club or himself.  He's had injury problems this season and needs to rebuild his career at a different club.

"I've also transfer listed JJ Melligan,  He hasn't had the kind of season we hoped for and I think it would be better for him and for us if he could find a new club in the summer - that's totally dependent on the right club coming in for him and JJ wanting to go.

"I'd also like to thank Charlie Daniels and Andy Barcham for their efforts this season.  They now return to their parent club, where Tottenham will take the next decision on their careers.

"We're going to have another busy summer - although not quite as busy as last year - and the wheels are now in motion to get the squad back to 22 players."