SEAN Thornton is fired up ahead of Saturday's clash with MK Dons.

The Irishman hit two goals in Orient’s 3-2 defeat at Swindon last weekend, and has impressed with his work-rate since he returned from a knee injury.

This week, the influential play-maker came out fighting to talk up Orient as “much better” than the team that beat them, and to also state Orient can still get to the play-offs.

“It's not like we're overawed by Swindon away and MK Dons, we're as good as anybody” stated Thornton.

“We've got people coming to our place now struggling to take away points and we don't fear anybody in this league”

“We're not getting results at the minute (but) going into the Swindon game, we were nine points off the play-offs, which shows how easy it is to get up there.

"But if we win like we did last Tuesday (3-1 versus Gillingham) and then lose to Swindon, we won't do that” he added.

The Irishman’s upbeat appraisal is in contrast to the national mood in Eire, as a nation comes to terms with being cheated out of a spot at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Thornton, who played for Ireland U21s, said he is not too downcast about it.

“I’m disappointed Ireland aren’t in there, but I’m not too bothered about it. I just hope there is some good football in the summer.”

He could supply some of the good football this Saturday when Paul Ince brings his Dons team to town.

The ex-Man Utd hard man is back for his second spell in charge at Stadium: MK and has moulded them in his own image.

Uncompromising in the tackle, the Dons have committed more fouls than anyone else in League One.

But they are out of form too with no win in five games.

Last weekend, former non-league player Craig Austin also hit a brace to match Thornton in quantity of goals, if not in quality.

Billy Paynter opened the scoring three minutes into the second half after Orient captain Stephen Purches conceded a penalty.

Thornton levelled from long range and then did it again in extra time, to make it 3-2.

He might have had a hat-trick but was denied twice at point-blank range during the first half in what boss Geraint Williams called “the chance of the season.”

Williams was fuming afterwards on lax defending by his team and also the penalty which opened the scoring.

Tamika Mkandawire was red-carded late after he floored Austin as he bore down on goal.

It gives Ash (Luke Ashworth) or someone else the chance to show they belong there.

“We're scoring goals but we're conceding too many and if that happens you have to change personnel, perhaps.”