Summer signing Leon McSweeney is looking to make the right back berth his own after impressing when deputising in the position.

The former Hartlepool United man got his first start for Orient in midfield at Walsall on the opening day but has since played at both full back positions.

McSweeney occupied the left side of defence against Huddersfield and Preston but with Elliot Omozusi not deemed fit enough to start and Scott Cuthbert filling in for the injured Ben Chorley at Scunthorpe, the Irishman switched to the right side and has impressed the O’s faithful.

With the season still in its early stages, McSweeney has already shown great versatility and although he believes this to be a necessity in a League One squad, the 28-year-old has got his mind focused on the right back spot.

“The gaffer has brought me in primarily as a right back who can play in midfield,” explained McSweeney. “It just so happens that with the injuries we have been hit with, I have been played as a makeshift left back, right back and in midfield so I have played in the three of them.

“I maybe wasn’t expecting to do that this early on - as the season progresses maybe. But I am hoping to make the position my own and as long as I am in a team that is winning and keeping clean sheets, that is the best way to do it.”

He continued: “Right back suits me. I feel the more I play there the more familiar I am going to be and the stronger I am going to get performance wise.

“But as the gaffer said, primarily, he has brought me in as a right back and a player that can play in midfield.

“With the squad that we have, it is a necessity really that you have adaptable players, and when the situation dictates, I am sure the lads will have to cover certain positions as the season goes on but as I say, that is football and that is what you have to expect.”

McSweeney insists he will not be resting on his laurels however as he looks to stamp his mark on the O’s defence.

Competition for places will be hotting up at Brisbane Road as the Orient injury list starts to shrink, with Omozusi back in contention following his injury layoff.

Omozusi was named on the subs bench for the last two fixtures but while McSweeney knows he needs to continue performing to keep his starting place, he feels he is naturally suited to the position.

“I have got a great engine, I can get up and down and it suits me to be honest. I think it compliments my attributes and I just have to keep backing that up really when I get the opportunity to play there.

“I have to give the gaffer no reason to take me out because as I said, the lads are coming back from injury and we have got nearly a full health squad so everyone is looking over their shoulder really and they know that if you under-perform, there’s a lad only too willing to take your place.”