Charlie MacDonald has admitted he would be keen to remain at Leyton Orient next season.

The former MK Dons striker has been a regular in the team since moving to the club last month. MacDonald only signed a deal at Brisbane Road until the end of the season but is hoping to commit his long-term future to Orient.

When asked if he wanted to extend his stay with the O’s, MacDonald replied: “Definitely. I’ve been welcomed with open arms so far and the crowd have been great.

“The gaffer and everybody involved including the lads have been great so I’m enjoying my time here at the moment and long may the goals come and we keep winning games and become successful.

“I’m sure if that happens then we’ll be sitting down towards the end of the season discussing hopefully a more permanent contract.”

MacDonald had to wait until the weekend to finally get off the mark.

The 31-year-old has come close, hitting the post on his debut against Crewe Alexaxandra and having a goal disallowed recently at Stevenage.

The former Brentford striker was relieved to find the net but was far from satisfied after missing a good opportunity to add a second against Tranmere Rovers.

MacDonald said: ”Obviously you get a bit of luck but I think I was due a little bit.

“I managed to get on the first header. The keeper made a save with his foot but I managed to just head it over him as he was on the floor.

“I’m delighted that’s gone in and I’m just a bit disappointed in the second half when I chased down a back pass and saw the keeper off his line but the ball’s just popped up a bit and maybe I should have taken another touch.

“That’s the sort of self critical person I am. I scored one but could have had another and I’m disappointed to be honest with you.

“There is pressure to get a first goal and the longer it goes on the more it plays on your mind,” he continued. “Obviously it’s good that the performances of the team have been very good.

“You manage to put in a shift and you’re doing stuff for the team but as a forward you want to score goals and I’ve managed to get off the mark in a great win against the team top of the league who thoroughly deserve to be there.

“We’ve shown that when we’re on it we’re a good side. Everyone works hard for each other and it showed out there in a great win for us.”

The win temporarily pushed Orient to within five points of the play-off spots and MacDonald believes anything is possible this season. The former Charlton Athletic youngster does not think the division is as strong as in previous years and insists this means the O’s can have realistic hopes of mounting a push for the top six.

“If you look at the teams up there, and no disrepect to them, but you’ve got Tranmere who are top of the league and Yeovil are sitting fifth at the moment,” MacDonald said.

“This is a funny league this year. We’ve lost the big clubs like Sheffield Wednesday, Charlton and Huddersfield from last year and the club’s that have come down aren't as glamorous as the ones that went up. It’s difficult because anyone can beat everybody.

“Even my old club MK Dons are having a bit of a wobble at the moment. You don’t expect to see them lose at Oldham but the most consistent performers at the moment are Bournemouth and if they carry on they could possibly go on to win the league.”

MacDonald was forced to watch last week’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Area Final first leg from the stands after playing in the competition already this season.

Despite losing 1-0 to Southend United, the striker has backed his team-mates to overturn the deficit next Wednesday and seal a place in the final at Wembley.

He said: “I did the radio for the BBC for the first game and it was really promising to see the amount of chances we created. How we didn’t score a goal in the home leg is beyond me. If we can put that performance and that amount of chances into the game at Roots Hall then we surely can’t come out with a blank.

“David Mooney will be kicking himself that he didn’t take the match ball because he had three great chances and on another day he’d gobble them up.

“It just shows that we can create chances and we’ll go there with the confidence that we’ve taken from these games. I’m sure the lads will put in a good performance and get throught to Wembley.”

The O’s immediate challenge is a long trip to Hartlepool United this weekend. Orient will be favourites to beat the bottom club but MacDonald is taking nothing for granted against a side desperate for the points.

The striker said: “I don’t think you should be expected to win any game in this league to be honest with you. Hartlepool is a tough place to go whether they’re struggling or not. It’s a very tough ground to go to and I’ve played there a few times over the years and it’s hard to grind out a result there.”