Leyton Orient are believed to have tabled a paltry £20,000 offer for Southend United midfielder Kevin Maher.

Blues' Third Division rivals want the Shrimpers' Player of the Season to aid them in their fight against relegation.

And the struggling O's are also rumoured to have offered Maher, who is out of contract this summer, more than double his wages if he quits Roots Hall for Brisbane Road on an 18-month deal.

Blues refused to comment on the speculation yesterday, but Maher has been free to negotiate with other clubs since January under the Bosman ruling.

The 25-year-old, who is currently injured, was linked with a move to Orient over the summer.

But it is believed that Maher, who lives in nearby Ilford, may now be willing to make the move as he knows the restrictions of the Roots Hall wage structure could never match the east London side's offer.

Blues are expected to cash in on Maher if he wants to leave now, rather than wait until the end of the season and lose him for nothing.

However, Southend are thought to want nearer £50,000 for the player who joined the Shrimpers on a free transfer from Premiership Spurs four years ago.

And it would be a big blow to Blues' fans to lose Maher to their near neighbours, who lured fellow midfielder Carl Hutchings away from Roots Hall last week with a more lucrative contract offer.

However, the ball is firmly in Maher's court.

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Published Thursday, February 21, 2002