ORIENT striker Jabo Ibehre is setting out to prove a point to manager Martin Ling, after being mainly restricted to bench warming duties this season, writes Peter King.

The 21-year-old finds himself back in the O's starting 11 following an ankle injury that looks like sidelining captain Gary Alexander for more than a month.

And having scored in the win at Lincoln on Saturday, the Islington-born forward is now hoping for more of the same over the coming weeks.

He said: "It was great to get a goal on Saturday because I really want to stake a claim to stay in the side and make it difficult for the manager to leave me out.

"It has been a little bit frustrating sitting on the bench this season because you want to be out there playing, but the main thing is that the team are doing well.

"I know in my mind what I have to do to try and stay in the team, because while we have a small squad, if you are not playing well there are still people to come in and take your place.

"So if I don't make the most of this opportunity then I'm sure that Gary will get his place back, so it really is up to me to show the manager what I can do."

And while the young striker has had to be patient this year, he believes that the regular partnership of Alexander and Lee Steele will not only keep him on his toes, but will also help him to develop his game for the future.

He added: "They are both really good strikers and they have given me a lot of advice, which can only help me to develop my own game so that I can become a better player."