LEYTON Orient's Mikele Leigertwood is delighted with the way things have gone while he has been on loan at the club from Wimbledon.

The Enfield-born defender says he is thrilled to be playing first-team football that has included a starring role in the O's FA Cup third round win at Portsmouth on Saturday.

The Edmonton-based centre back, who turns 20 on Saturday, has been ever present in the side since making his debut at Brisbane Road against Oxford United in November.

He said: "I am very pleased to be here because I am getting a lot of first-team games under my belt and it's a great experience for me.

"It was real buzz to play against Portsmouth, not just because they are in a higher league than Orient but because it was the FA Cup."

Orient manager Paul Brush has certainly been impressed with the youngster, enough so that he has already persuaded Wimbledon manager Terry Burton to extend Leigertwood's stay by another month.

He said: "Mikele has fitted in well and so we are pleased that he has been allowed to stay with us, because he has added a balance to our defence.

"He has continued to improve and while it is good that we get the use of Mikele it is also beneficial for Wimbledon because we are giving him first-team experience."

Leigertwood also echoed how important his loan period at the club has been, saying: "I am still learning my trade so being here has helped.

"This situation also benefits Wimbledon in a way because if they need to call on me I would be more equipped to be put in the first team.

"I am very grateful that Paul Brush has given me this opportunity. He is a very nice guy and he has helped me a lot to improve my game.

"I would definitely like to stay here because if I am not going to be in Wimbledon's first team it is good to be in somebody's side."

And the big defender certainly seems to have settled well in his new surroundings, especially as Wimbledon team-mate Wayne Gray has followed him across London.

He continued: "It is always hard to come into a place where there are a lot of new people but they are a good bunch of lads, which helps, although having Wayne here has made settling in easier.

"My aim now is to keep playing well and help Orient move up the table, as well as progress in the FA Cup.

"Getting more first-team games under my belt will help when I return to Wimbledon because I will have a better chance of pushing for a first-team place there.

"I played quite well against Portsmouth on Saturday. They are in the First Division like Wimbledon, which shows Terry Burton that I can perform at that level."