Midfielder congratulates team mate on international call and hails Charlie Grainger’s ability

East London Advertiser: Leyton Orient keeper Charlie Grainger in action at Exeter on his league debut (pic: Simon O'Connor)Leyton Orient keeper Charlie Grainger in action at Exeter on his league debut (pic: Simon O'Connor) (Image: Simon O'Connor Photography)

Leyton Orient midfielder Dean Cox hailed the ability of goalkeeper Alex Cisak after the Australian received another call-up for international duty.

Former Burnley stopper Cisak will miss this weekend’s League Two clash with Notts County at Brisbane Road as he joins up with the Socceroos squad ahead of their FIFA World Cup qualifier against Jordan on October 8.

Orient’s number one has started the campaign strongly and has already been included in the Aussie group for their qualifiers against Bangladesh and Tajikistan at the start of September.

That meant the 26-year-old was unavailable for the O’s fixture at Exeter City and they went on to lose 4-0 at St James Park. He also missed the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy clash with Luton Town, which they lost 2-1.

But Cox, fresh from scoring against Northampton Town last weekend, has backed Charlie Grainger to replace Cisak this weekend when County visit.

The O’s talisman did concede, however, they wish Cisak didn’t have to link up with Australia.

“Alex is a fantastic goalkeeper and definitely the best we have had by a country mile since I have been here,” said Cox.

“To be fair to Charlie, he is pushing him very well in the training sessions. But Alex is a top goalkeeper, we can all see that, so congratulations to him for getting the call-up.

“Obviously that hinders us a little bit because we don’t want him going really!

“If we could tie him down and keep him in the changing room at Brisbane Road, we would, but it is great for him and the club that we have such a calibre of player in our squad.”

Cisak’s form in the early part of the season has been key to Orient going to the top of the table, until drawing with Northampton before losing to Carlisle United on Tuesday night.

The Aussie has made top saves throughout the campaign and already proved a smart signing after impressing on loan last year.

Although the O’s form has dipped in recent weeks and Cisak won’t be available this weekend, his presence between the sticks for the Brisbane Road club should win them many extra points this season.