Leyton Orient's new director of football Martin Ling admitted it was a 'bit surreal' to be back at Brisbane Road after all those years.

The 50-year-old returned to the O's in a new role after leaving the club in 2009.  Ling was certainly the correct man for the job after he guided the O's to a League One promotion in 2006.

And while discussing his different venture at Orient he said: "When I spoke to Nigel and Kent it was a job they expressed to me.

"I am very happy to be doing it. I am not involved in the team selection or the training but I am really excited about it."

Time is running low on the east London club with players due back for pre-season training tomorrow.

Omer Riza revealed he would re-apply for a role at E10 following a meeting with Ling.

When asked about his immediate and long term goals for the club he said:" My immediate goal is to get the right coaching team into the club.  "We need someone we can put in place that can do the job.

"That is the immediate goal. We need to also get the right players in. I think we have got to make sure we do not rush it.

"The first team coach is an important job but we have to make sure we get the person as well as the players."  Ling has helped the O's community in recent months when he took part in the Leyton Orient Fans Trust (LOFT) football match to raise money for the regeneration fund.

Lingy's legends versus the fans was a huge success among the O's faithful.

And he had this message to deliver to them: "It is great to back. They will know, but I am telling them, I have the club's best interests at heart.  "The club is massively important to me as it is to them. We are asking them to get behind us and follow us.

"We will get Orient back to where we belong and move the club forward."