(Picture: Action Images via Reuters)
By Matt Bishop
New Leyton Orient signing Mark Ellis has said the chance to play regular first-team football was the reason behind his decision to join Steve Davis' side.
After starting the season at the heart of Carlisle's defence, the 28-year-old centre back was forced out of Keith Curle's starting XI following the arrival of Clint Hill – and the Cumbrians boss said he could only guarantee Ellis “one game every four or five”.
As a result, the former Bolton man, who has Non-League experience after a spell with Forest Green Rovers, has moved south on a two-month loan spell in search of consistent first team opportunities.
Speaking to Orient's official YouTube channel, Ellis said: “I'm looking forward to it and looking forward to some game-time again.
The defender will make his debut for The O's in tomorrow's clash against AFC Fylde – a game which coincides with his 29th birthday – and he will be reunited with Steve Davis and Martin Ling.
Davis was Ellis' manager while the pair were at Crewe, while he worked under Ling at Torquay United, and the Orient loanee said: “Yes, I've worked with Steve before, and worked under Martin as well – it's a bit strange seeing the pair of them again.
“It's vital for me that I'm playing. That's what I want to do and do as well as I can.”
