Scott Cuthbert believes loan signing John Lundstram can be a “massive player” for Orient on his return to the club.

The Everton midfielder was a big hit during his first spell at Brisbane Road. The 20-year-old made nine appearances at the end of last season for the O’s and was brought off the bench in the play-off final defeat to Rotherham United.

Lundstram’s ability on the ball won the plaudits of Orient supporters and his arrival on an initial loan until February 18 has been well received.

Speaking after Saturday’s home defeat to Fleetwood Town, Cuthbert said: “It’s great. John was different class when he came here last year. He’s a real football player and he’ll only improve things as he beds in. Obviously there’s a new manager since the last time he was here but once he finds his feet he’ll be a massive player for us.”

Lundstam’s return, which follows a loan spell with Blackpool earlier this season, has come at a time when the club are getting some of their injured players back. Darius Henderson and Jobi McAnuff are expected to return in the coming weeks and Cuthbert believes the squad is looking a lot healthier than at the end of last year.

The defender said: “We have to take encouragement from the bench. There’s quite a lot of players coming back. We've got players like Darius and Jobi to come back into full fitness soon. So we’ve got to look at the squad and think we’re strong enough to get out of this situation. We still believe and if we stick together the results will turn.”

The O’s are in action on Friday night with a difficult trip to Preston North End. Their opponents are currently fourth in the table but Cuthbert is welcoming the chance to go to one of the promotion contenders.

“It will be tough,” he said. “It’s always tough against Preston. They’re a well organised side and know League One inside and out.

“It will be tough but you want to play against the best teams in the best stadiums. Preston is certainly a good place to go.”

Orient are just above the relegation zone after suffering a home defeat to Fleetwood Town in their first match of 2015. The Scottish defender admits it was a missed opportunity to close the gap on the sides in mid-table but is keeping the faith.

Cuthbert said: “A positive result would have put us in the right direction looking up towards the top of the table and trying to chase the pack ahead of us. Unfortunately that defeat has made us look over our shoulders a little bit so we just need to put it right on Friday.

“There’s plenty of games to go and we’re working really hard every day to try and get it right. It will turn eventually for us if we stay positive and stay together.”

The O’s felt hard done by after not being awarded a penalty late on when video evidence clearly showed Bradley Pritchard was fouled in the area. But Cuthbert took a more measured view and refused to criticise the officials for their blunder.

The 27-year-old said: “It’s hard for the officials. I’m not going to sit here and criticise the officials. They’ve got a hard job just like we have. They make mistakes and we make mistakes.

“At the end of the day on another week that would be given. It’s not been given and there’s no point complaining about it. We have to dust ourselves down and go again next week.”