Dale Gorman is thoroughly enjoying life at Leyton Orient and says there is more to come from him in an O’s shirt.

The midfielder made his first start for the club on Saturday against Maidstone United, having largely been restricted to cameo appearances from the bench since his move to East London in the summer.

Gorman moved to Orient from Stevenage on a free transfer, signing a two-year deal at Brisbane Road, but missed the first month of the season as he continued his recovery from a fractured ankle sustained back in April.

That injury placed the 22-year-old behind Craig Clay and Charlie Lee in the pecking order, following the duo’s impressive start to the campaign in midfield.

The Northern Ireland Under-21 international is prepared to bide his time though as he looks to cement a place in Orient’s starting line-up and says he already feels at home in East London.

Asked whether it was frustrating watching on from the side-lines in the early weeks of the season, the 22-year-old said: “It was to be fair but that’s just something I had to overcome.

“It’s unfortunate I got the injury, but I’m feeling back to my best now. Not just Charlie Lee and Craig, but everyone has been playing pretty well. I’m just looking forward to getting in now and staking a claim and keeping my place.

“I absolutely love it here to be honest. I knew it was going to be a big club when I signed. It’s definitely lived up to expectations.

“If you go to a game on a Saturday, you see the amount of support we have and for a National League team, that’s very good. We’re going in the right direction.”

Clay and Lee’s form has meant that the midfielder has had to be content with a spot on the bench since he returned to full fitness at the end of August.

Gorman has shown glimpses of what he can do so far, impressing in the second half against Barnet and he almost scored a last gasp equaliser for Orient against Sutton United last month, only for his effort from 20-yards to strike the bar.

He played in a more advanced role as part of a midfield three on Saturday against Maidstone, a position he particularly enjoys, and still feels O’s fans have yet to see him at his best.

He said: “It was obviously good to get a start. I have worked hard coming back from injury and to get back to full fitness again. To get a start was good but unfortunately we couldn’t get the result. It was a bit frustrating as it’s a good cup to be in.

“I really enjoyed it (playing further forward) because it gives you a bit more freedom to get on the ball higher up the pitch and link with your frontmen close to the goal.

“I prefer going forward than playing defensively as I’d classify myself as a box-to-box midfielder. I did enjoy it on Saturday and thought I did pretty well as well.”

On whether there was more to come from him in an Orient shirt, Gorman added: “Definitely. If you look at it, I’ve only had two or three 90 minutes. I’ve had one with Orient, I’ve had a reserve game and then I’ve had one with Northern Ireland.

“If you probably get four or five 90 minutes, then you’re back on form. I’ve definitely got a lot more to come and I’m starting to feel sharper, fitter and stronger again. I’m only getting better each day, which is a positive sign and I’d definitely feel that there’s more to come.”