Ross Embleton has been appointed as the interim head coach at Leyton Orient.

The appointment comes following the passing of head coach Justin Edinburgh and Embleton has taken the reigns on an interim basis as preparations continue for the 2019/20 League Two season.

The 38-year-old started his time at Orient with the club’s Centre of Excellence as the Youth Development manager under Martin Ling, and he then went on to have spells at Tottenham Hotspur, Bournemouth and Swindon Town.

He returned to the O’s in 2017 and was partnered with Edinburgh when the former Gillingham boss took over in November of the same year.

The coaching staff remains largely the same as when late boss Edinburgh was in charge, with Danny Webb assuming the role of interim assistant coach while club captain Jobi McAnuff has taken up an interim player/coach role.

Webb joined the club in 2011 as an under-14s coach, while McAnuff, who is currently taking his UEFA A qualification, is taking his first steps into a coaching role.

Speaking to the club website, Embleton said: "I am incredibly proud. I'm privileged to be stepping into this opportunity to try to be able to help club through what is going to be a very, very tough period."

"No-one will ever forget Justin. He's made an impression, selfishly, on me and my family in a way that no-one I've ever met has managed to do. To have known someone for 18 months and to make it feel like 18 years, it is vitally important that everything we do at this football club, whether that is me as interim head coach or new players, that Justin remains a pivotal part of that."

The club’s director of football, Martin Ling, added: "It has been a period which I have never, ever faced in my football career. You don't get a manual to deal with it but you deal with it the best way you can and deal with it with Justin always in your thoughts.

"I've got no hesitation that Ross can step up and do the top job. The caveat to that is that I don't want anyone being judged during this period that then can be surplus to requirements. If it doesn't work out then there's the opportunity for them to step back down to where they worked last year but can Ross do it? Without a shadow of a doubt."