Orient ‘too good to turn down’ admits Hunt

Leyton Orient defender Nicky Hunt firmly believes the club can still achieve promotion to League One this season.

Kevin Nolan’s men suffered a disappointing 1-0 loss to Luton Town on Saturday after Jack Marriott scored the only goal of the game at Brisbane Road.

It has seen the O’s drop down to eighth in the table, but they are only out of the play-off positions on goal difference.

The 32-year-old left Mansfield Town, who are also going for promotion, to make the switch to the east Londoners earlier this year.

And he believes Orient can secure a spot in the play-offs with 11 more matches remaining in the division.

Hunt said: “It was a tough decision to leave Mansfield, I wasn’t in any rush to move, but it was too good an opportunity for me to turn down.

“I came down here with every aspect of going into League One next season and I thoroughly think we can still do that.

“It’s six month contract with a view to another year so hopefully I’ll play well until the end of the season and carry on again for the club in League One.”

The former Bolton Wanderers defender went on to praise the youth at the Brisbane Road outfit.

Hunt revealed on Saturday he would be looking to become a coach when he retires from playing.

And when asked about the youngsters at Orient, he hailed their committment to improving themselves.

He added: “All of them have got the work rate and the desire to go on and that is what you need in youngsters.

“Sometimes they can think being a footballer is about the lifestyle and the women, but it doesn’t work like that.

“I’ve been there myself don’t worry about that, but we have a fantastic group of lads here who are willing to work and back every single person.

“And that’s even when they are not in the team and that is massive, especially with these last few games of the season.”

Hunt has made a positive impression since signing and it appears his role off the pitch, as well as on it, could be key for Orient.