Leyton Orient striker Ollie Palmer believes his performance from off the bench against Wycombe showed Ian Hendon what he is capable of as he bids to secure his first league start.

The forward was a constant menace, as a second-half substitute for the O's, as his exceptional work rate helped set up the equaliser and earned him the man-of-the-match award. Palmer is hoping his contribution is enough to gain a starting spot this weekend at Northampton Town.

He said: "I want to play games and get as many minutes under my belt. Obviously Paul [McCallum] and Jay [Simpson] did well at the beginning of the season and the gaffer's been telling me my opportunity will come.

"He gave me 45 minutes today and hopefully I showed him [something]. The fans gave me man-of-the-match which means a lot to me and I can see that people are appreciating what I'm trying to do."

Palmer added: "It's good for my confidence and I want to kick on. I want to start winning games and be involved in a winning team which I am.

"It's a great club and I love this club. I'm really enjoying my football and that's without me even starting games so hopefully it's only going to get better if I can get into that starting XI."

It was a far cry from the reserves' recent 5-1 defeat at Stevenage when Palmer led the line. But his attitude has impressed Orient's head coach and the striker hopes it pays off with an opportunity soon.

The 23-year-old said: "I have played in one or two reserve games to keep my match fitness up. I know the gaffer was pleased with how I reacted to that. Sometimes it's not too nice going to Stevenage away but it's football.

"There's ups and downs and this is a completely different feeling to what I had last week."

Palmer's physical presence has already proved a handful for opposing defenders and the striker insists it is something he has recently added to his game.

He said: "People have drilled it into me and I played with a lad called Matt Green at Mansfield who's a unit and he taught me a few things. It can have quite an impact really when you win your flick ons, hold up the ball and set it off.

"You can create chances that way and obviously work hard, getting in behind the defenders and winning free-kicks and getting shots off."