Sam Sargeant has praised the togetherness that Justin Edinburgh has instilled in the current Leyton Orient squad as well as his desire to give young players an opportunity to impress.

The 20-year-old recently signed a new two-year contract at the Breyer Group Stadium having made three appearances for the O’s last season, before spending time on loan at Leatherhead in the Bostik Premier League.

Having battled with Charlie Grainger for the number one jersey during the opening months of the campaign, one of Edinburgh’s first decisions was to install the experienced Dean Brill as the club’s first choice goalkeeper for the remainder of last season.

That move looks likely to remain in place for the time being as well, with Brill being handed the number one shirt for the upcoming National League season.

But despite not playing as much as he would have liked under Edinburgh last term, Sargeant has been impressed by the 48-year-old as well as the togetherness he has instilled in the squad.

On working with Orient’s head coach, Sargeant said: “It’s been very enjoyable. It’s been very tough as he knows what he wants out of the players and he wants us to work hard, which is what any team should do. Even in training, we are all working extremely hard. We have people at the club who look at how much distance we cover and it’s important to work hard in training for the games.

“I think the gaffer has really got the boys together and it is a really strong group of players who are all very close to each other. I’ve only been involved in a first-team environment for four years but I can say that this is by far the most tight knit group of lads that I’ve ever worked with and that plays a massive part in the team’s success, which is why I’m so optimistic about next season.

“I think we’ve got a really good structure. I think the squad is very strong and the togetherness in the changing room is something that plays a massive part and that comes down to the boys getting on with each other and the gaffer and the coaching staff bringing everyone together and getting the best out of everyone.”

Edinburgh’s appointment as Orient head coach back in November coincided with an upturn in fortunes on the pitch, with the O’s securing a 13th place finish after a strong end to the campaign.

The 48-year-old has shown his eagerness to give the club’s younger players some much needed game time during his time in East London, with Dan Happe, Josh Koroma, Myles Judd, Sam Ling and Marvin Ekpiteta all establishing themselves in the side since he took over.

17-year-old Ruel Sotiriou was also handed his first professional contract last month and Sargeant says it’s great to be at a club which is prepared to give young players an opportunity to impress.

He said: “Being a younger player, that’s what you want to see. Things like that gives you that extra bit of motivation and you think there’s a chance if I have a good few weeks or months training. It’s then up to you then to keep your place in the team.

“I’ve played and trained with Koroma, Myles Judd and Ruel Sotiriou for several years now and they have deserved their chance. I think they will play a massive role in the coming seasons. It’s nice knowing that you have a gaffer and club that are willing to put their trust and faith in young players so that they can really show people what they can do.

“It makes you give that extra 5% in training every day, which then improves you as a player and just gives you the best chance possible of kicking on and making a name for yourself at the club.”