Dom Ballard could leave Leyton Orient - Bristol City and Charlton must be on red alert | OneFootball

Dom Ballard could leave Leyton Orient this summer, as FLW takes a look at two EFL clubs that should be on alert for his signature

Having lost out to Charlton Athletic in the League One play-off final last season, Leyton Orient have come crashing back down to earth this year and are at serious risk of dropping into the fourth tier if they are not careful.

It's been a difficult adjustment back to reality for Leyton Orient, who, less than a year ago, were one game away from the Championship, yet now find themselves on the brink of relegation to League Two this time around.

Ethan Galbraith's departure to Swansea City was the club's biggest sale, although the loan returns of the likes of Jamie Donley, Charlie Kelman, and Jack Currie have no doubt had a huge effect too.

Despite head coach Richie Wellens' best efforts, he has been unable to continue his side's upwards trajectory into this campaign, and instead of once again fighting in and around the top six, they find themselves in and around the bottom four.

Should they indeed face the drop, it will be catastrophic for the club, which was playing in the fifth tier as recently as 2019, with relegation likely to have a detrimental effect on the club's finances, and therefore, squad and staff.

One player that will likely be in demand this summer, regardless of whether Orient stay up or not, is striker Dominic Ballard, who joined the club this summer on a permanent deal from Southampton.

Although Orient have struggled, Ballard has been electric in front of goal, and still only 20, the East London outfit faces an uphill battle to keep him this summer, as FLW takes a look at two EFL clubs that should be on red-hot alert for his signature.

Bristol City

Bristol City are looking to make back-to-back top six finishes in the EFL Championship after an initial 17-year wait to break into it last season.

The Robins, now under the guidance of Austrian boss Gerhard Struber, are still well within a shout of a play-off place once again, though they have lacked a clinical touch in front of goal for most of this season.

With Nahki Wells' departure, the onus of finding the back of the net fell onto Sinclair Armstrong and the incoming Emil Riis, though both have struggled to deliver as the Bermudan had done in years prior.

With Anis Mehmeti also leaving in January, their forward line has been depleted of much of its spark, with much of the ball going through attacking-midfielder Scott Twine.

Bristol City have been excellent at buying for cheap and selling high over the years, with the likes of Antoine Semenyo, Alex Scott, Lloyd Kelly, Bobby De Cordova-Reid, and Adam Webster having all played their home football at Ashton Gate over the years, and should look to make Ballard the next in line.

The forward has shown that he knows exactly where the back of the net is, and like the aforementioned Mehmeti, looks ready to make the step up to the second tier this summer.

If Orient are indeed relegated, the Robins should be one of the first in line for his signature, with the pros massively outweighing the cons.

Charlton Athletic

The perpetrators of much of Leyton Orient's current woes, Charlton Athletic's promotion to the Championship, unfortunately, came at the detriment of their London rivals.

Having already plucked Kelman away from their clutches after an excellent loan spell from Queens Park Rangers, the Addicks should be keeping one eye on Orient's situation in case a move for Ballard arises.

Head coach Nathan Jones has made a habit over the years during his time with Luton Town and most recently Charlton of delving into the League One market, showing no qualms about helping players leap from the third to the second tier.

The likes of Rob Apter, Tanto Olaofe, Harvey Knibbs, Thomas Kaminski, Amari'i Bell, Sonny Carey, and Reece Burke all joined from League One clubs over the summer, highlighting Jones' willingness to delve into this market.

With each of Miles Leaburn, Tyreece Campbell, Kelman, and Olaofe all struggling in front of goal, plus Matt Godden's injury woes, a striker is sure to be high on Jones' list heading into the summer.

Someone like Ballard absolutely fits the mould that Charlton and Jones would be after, with the Welshman likely knowing the 20-year-old from their time together at Southampton.

A move that Orient