ORIENT’S new striker will show plenty of heart as he seeks to regain a foothold in the professional ranks of the game.

That is according to boss Russell Slade, who has recruited James Walker on a three-month deal.

Last weekend, the 23-year-old nearly made an instant impact as a substitute during the 2-1 defeat to Huddersfield Town.

One effort cleared off the line, plus a turn of speed which drew two fouls, marked a productive seven-minute cameo by him.

Now the Hackney-born forward is in line to feature against Notts County at Meadow Lane this weekend.

“He (Slade) has given me the opportunity, I've got three months,” said Walker. “It's not long, but a lot of players aren't even in the league, so I really appreciate it.

“It's just about showing what I can do. I'll be busting a gut.

“You've got to take your chance to play football again these days, as there are a lot of players out of the game.

“I felt quite sharp, and it's just a shame a late chance didn't go in,” reflected Walker on his debut display.

“It was a great cutback by Jimmy Smith, but the defender cleared it off the line.”

Walker has been praised as 'a clever player' by Slade, whom he impressed during a recent trial.

“We’ve taken him now until Christmas and he’ll work exceptionally hard to get himself into good nick,” said the manager.

“He’s got very good feet. I had him at Yeovil Town and I know all about him. He’s a clever player and he can score goals.

“That’s the first of hopefully many appearances for us.”

Walker’s reunion with Slade was sparked by the departure last week of striker Adrian Patulea, on loan to non-league Hayes & Yeading.

The Romanian has fallen out of contention for a place in the first team at Brisbane Road.

An extra forward is deemed necessary to plug the gap.

At 36, Scott McGleish might struggle week-in, week-out to partner Alex Revell.

Jonathan Téhoué has injury problems, while Ryan Jarvis is often most effective just behind the front line.

Walker is no stranger to Orient either.

In the 2006-2007 season, former O’s boss Martin Ling borrowed him from Charlton Athletic during the club’s maiden League One campaign.

He hit two goals in 14 games during that spell.

This week, Walker declared: "It's great to be back.

"During the last few months of last season I was at Gillingham, but I didn't play that much,” he explained.

“I was on the bench, coming on now and again, and I got a bit frustrated. So I didn't have a team. I went on trial at Colchester and then I came here on trial and did well.

“It's good to be back again.

“So I was itching to come on (against Huddersfield Town).

“If the chance comes along, you've got to take it."

Go to www.guardian-series.co.uk/sport and www.twitter.com/guardiangoblin for all the action from Meadow Lane this Saturday, including goal flashes and a match report on the final whistle.