Sam Sargeant admits that his loan spell with Leatherhead didn’t go to plan last season, although he praised the work of former Leyton Orient midfielder Sammy Moore.

The young goalkeeper spent the second half of the campaign in the Bostik Premier League under Moore with the Tanners in a bid to get some much needed game-time, but he was restricted to just a handful of appearances due to injury.

It proved to be a further blow for Sargeant who was demoted to third choice at Orient back in December following Justin Edinburgh’s appointment as head-coach, after the 48-year-old named O’s goalkeeping coach Dean Brill as the club’s number one.

Having made three appearances for the O’s in November, Sargeant wouldn’t feature for Orient again last season, however, he will return to the club this summer with renewed hope having penned a new two-year contract with the club last week.

The 20-year-old will be hoping for better fortunes this campaign after a ‘tough time’ on loan at Leatherhead last season, although he did praise the impact of former Orient midfielder Moore, who has recently been appointed as Concord Rangers’ new manager in the National League South.

Sargeant said: “It was a tough time for me as I don’t really get injuries, none that stop me from playing anyway. But when I was on loan at Leatherhead, I picked up two which I couldn’t play with, so it stopped me from playing consistent games week-in week out. They had to bring someone else in and he did really well. They didn’t really have to change anything.

“I played for Sammy (Moore), he’s a great manager and I think he’ll do really well at Concord this year. It’s a brilliant move for him and for the club.

“I would have preferred to have played more games but unfortunately, injuries happen. It’s one of them things that you have to deal with. Things like that are just experiences that you use and you learn from and you come to terms with. It makes you more of a prepared player and person.”