Elliot Omozusi insists there is still a lot more to come from him and he expects to get better and better.

The versatile Orient defender has been one of the unheralded stars this season, having become a first-team regular.

Omozusi returned to the club on a short-term deal during the second half of last season, following his release from prison for witness intimidation, and it came as something of a surprise when he was handed a new contract in the summer by Russell Slade. But the defender’s consistency has won over supporters and made him an important part of the O’s success this campaign.

Omozusi said: “Personally I’m enjoying every single minute of it. I still think there is a lot more to come so I’m going to keep working hard and hopefully get better and better.

“I always knew that once I did get a good run in the side I would get fitter and my standards would go up and up. I have still got a lot more to show and prove and a lot more to achieve.”

The former Norwich City and Fulham defender added: “I didn’t start the first game but ended up coming in and I’ve had a long run in the team so long may that continue. It could just as easily happen to anyone else so everyone needs to be ready for their chance and I’m sure they will be.”

The O’s had to manage without Slade during Saturday’s win over Walsall due to his virus and Omozusi admitted it felt odd not having the manager patrolling the touchline.

He said: “It was strange. We couldn’t hear him from the touchline grilling us every two minutes. We want him around and hope he recovers well and quickly and we go again on Saturday.”

Orient remain top of League 1 heading towards Christmas and the 24-year-old is adamant the O’s are good enough to stay in this position until the end of the season.

Omozusi said: “Without a doubt [we can stay top]. We’ve got a lot of strong characters and very good players in there so I don’t see why not.

“To be fair, coming off the end of last season, we always knew if we kept the majority of the group together we would have a good shot this year. But no-one would have predicted it would go quite so well. Everyone is enjoying being at the top of the table so long may it continue.”

Orient’s next set of fixtures are likely to test them with a trip to Bradford City this weekend before a pivotal clash with promotion rivals Wolves at the end of December.

Omozusi said: “We’ve had a lot tough games. November was a tough month but we managed to come through that with a decent enough record so hopefully with this next run of games we can do the same.

“We’ve just got to keep our heads down and keep plodding along and take every game as it comes.”

Looking ahead to Saturday’s match against Bradford, he said: “I know Phil Parkinson well because I was with him at Charlton so I know what he expects from his team.

“He doesn’t give them a minute’s break so I know it will be a tough game but hopefully we can go up there and get a result.”