ORIENT have delved into the loan market early as boss Geraint Williams tries to strengthen his small squad of players.
A month into the new season, he has borrowed two midfielders from clubs higher up the leagues.
At the weekend, Kristian O’Leary arrived from Swansea City on a month-long deal.
He joins Andros Townsend, who has impressed during his time at Brisbane Road from Tottenham Hotspur.
Williams had to do without three key players in the 2-2 draw with Carlisle United at Brisbane Road.
Keeper Jamie Jones, defender Ben Chorley and midfielder Sean Thornton were all injured.
In the absense of a creative force like Thornton, Williams will be glad to keep loanee Townsend until Christmas.
Spurs agreed to the extension earlier this week.
Now, O’Leary’s arrival further deepens the talent pool available.
On Townsend, Williams said: “We’re delighted with the young man. I spoke to Harry Redknapp (Spurs boss) and he’s happy with the football and the tuition Andros is getting here.
“If you look at the squad Spurs have, I don’t think he’ll be looking to get starts there on a regular basis yet.
“It’s a good education for him. All three parties have agreed it would be good for him to stay with us.”
Townsend played 55 minutes of the 2-2 draw against Carlisle. Orient conceded a stoppage-time equaliser when Paul Thirwell shot low into the far corner past stand-in keeper Glenn Morris.
It wiped out so much hard work the O’s had put in to come back, after they went behind in the first half to Matty Robson’s neat finish.
Veteran Scott McGleish netted both goals for Orient. The first was a re-taken spot kick after Ryan Jarvis won a soft penalty on 48 minutes.
The second came with just five minutes to go.
Adrian Patulea, who replaced Jarvis, turned his marker and played in McGleish, who chipped keeper Lenny Pidgeley.
Afterwards, Williams said he thought the players looked tired.
“We’ve played an awful lot of games and especially with us going to extra-time on Wednesday (versus Stoke City), it was tough.
“It looked like two very tired teams out there.
“I challenged the players to show me at half time that they were not going to just give in, because we have had a lot of games and a lot of them have played in all of them.
“We’re disappointed we didn’t get all three points, but we deserved a point.”
New-boy O’Leary will get his first chance in the team when Orient travel to Roots Hall on Friday to take on Southend United.
Williams said: “The main thing the players need to do is get rested.
“It’s been a hectic start. Seven games in very quick time and a lot of the players have played a lot of football. We’ll make sure they’re rested up and we’re looking forward to going down to Southend. We’ve done quite well on the road.”
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