Leyton Orient’s George Elokobi believes he still has a point to prove at Brisbane Road after a stop-start first season in East London.

The experienced centre-back penned a two-year deal at the Breyer Group Stadium last summer after leaving Colchester United, but was restricted to 23 appearances in all competitions for the O’s last season due to injury.

His season was prematurely ended after he limped off against Hartlepool United in April, but the 32-year-old established himself as a key member of Orient’s defence when fit, forming a strong partnership with Josh Coulson at the back.

Elokobi has been working hard at Orient’s training ground over the summer to ensure that he is ready for the new season and played 90 minutes for the O’s against St Albans City on Tuesday night.

Having worked his way back to full fitness, Elokobi now wants to re-establish himself in the Orient side and help the club progress on the pitch this campaign.

He said: “I’ve always had a bit of a point to prove everywhere I’ve been. It’s not just at Leyton Orient. I didn’t come here for the ride; I came here to try and help this football club achieve its goals.

“We progressed last season and this year we’re trying to progress even more as a football club. As an individual, I’ve got my targets and I’m trying to make sure I reach those targets. They are in my head and I’m not going to tell anyone what those targets are. But I want to play as many games with Leyton Orient.

“I’m enjoying it and that’s why I’m working hard every day, just as much as the other boys. But at the same time, when I’m picked by the manager, I have to go out there and make sure I perform to the best of my ability. I’m doing everything in my power as a player to make sure that happens. When that happens, I’m going to grab it with both hands.

“Like you said, I had a stop-start season which wasn’t ideal for myself but that happens in football. I’m trying to make sure that I give myself the best opportunity to play in as many games as I can when I’m being selected by the manager.”

Like top-scorer and previous Colchester United team mate Macauley Bonne, Elokobi signed a two-year deal with Orient last summer, meaning he is entering the last year of his contract with the O’s.

While Bonne remains in talks over extending his existing deal in East London, Elokobi insisted that thoughts about a new contract hadn’t crossed his mind, with the centre-back fully focused on helping Orient build on their 13th place finish in the National League this campaign.

Asked if he’d like to extend his stay at the Breyer Group Stadium, Elokobi said: “That’s down to the football club, but at the same time, it’s down to me to perform. Contracts are not given out on a plate as you’ve got to earn them. You’ve got to make sure you play consistently week in, week-out and that’s my goal at this moment in time.

“I’m not thinking about a contract extension at this time as I’ve got to work hard for it. I’m sure if I’m given an opportunity by the gaffer, then I will carry on doing well and we will carry on doing well as a squad. It’s not an individual performance which wins a game. It’s a squad that wins a football match.

“Since I came to Leyton Orient, everyone has made me feel like I’ve been there for the last fifteen years of my career, which is very good for me. That’s why I enjoy going in every day to work at a fantastic football club. The fans are so supportive and passionate and I love that.

“I’ve never taken my eye off the ball when I’ve been given an opportunity, so I’m not going to stop now. I’m looking forward to the next game. I’m not looking at any new contracts at the moment. In life, I feel if you do well, you will be rewarded. That’s exactly how I’ve treated football. If I’m playing well, it will be down to the club to reward me. But I’m not looking at that at this moment in time.”