HAVING experienced a delay to his Orient career, one man who isn't bothered about the games coming thick and fast over the busy festive period is on-loan midfielder Luke Guttridge.

The 24-year-old Southend man, who was snapped up by manager Martin Ling over a fortnight ago just as the loan transfer window slammed shut finally made his O's debut in the 2-1 defeat against Bradford on Tuesday night and now hopes to be a regular feature in the side.

He said: "It was very frustrating that the first game I was due to be involved in at Northampton was postponed and then the same thing happened when I was supposed to play in a reserve team game against Stevenage last Tuesday.

"I was then ruled out against Torquay at the weekend because Southend didn't want me cup-tied and so it was a relief to finally get back playing against Bradford.

"Of course I was disappointed that we were beaten, because I want to come here and do well, although hopefully I can help us bounce back against Huddersfield on Saturday.

"I know that I won't be available for the Torquay replay on the Tuesday, but that will give me a little break to rest my legs because then the games will be coming up thick and fast.

"Some players don't always like it when you have so many matches close together, but to be honest I will prefer it at the moment because I need to get games under my belt to get my fitness levels up."

Guttridge, who played an important role in the Shrimpers rise to the Championship last season and had made 14 starts in the league at Roots Hall during the current campaign is hoping that a chance to shine in the east Londoners engine room could lead to a new chapter in his career.

He added: "I'm not prepared to say too much at the moment about what has happened at Southend, but I am disappointed with the way it has gone there this season.

"But my main aim now is to do well here by hopefully playing as many games as possible and helping Orient to climb the table.

"I will worry about what is going to happen with my future when the time comesbut I feel happy here, because I settled in quickly.

"I knew a lot of the lads already, especially Shane Tudor who I played with at Cambridge and that has helped me fit in quickly and hopefully that will help me make this move a success."