Retired Jamaica international Jobi McAnuff insists he is not just along for the ride after signing a new one-year contract with England League Two club Leyton Orient.
McANuff the club captain, will be 39 years old later this year and transitioned to a player/coach role last season. He will be in a similar capacity this year but despite being the senior statesman of sorts is determined to be more than just a passenger on the pitch.
“I don’t just want to be a bit part or be here for the ride, I want to contribute, that’s a big, big thing for me,” McAnuff said in an interview with the club’s official website.
“I’m feeling good,” he added.
“Last year, as everyone knows, was frustrating. I worked really hard to get back to playing, and I’ve got a lot of work again to get to the level I want to get to.”
The injury kept McAnuff out of action for almost the entire season, not playing his first match until March. Orient coach Ross Embleton is confident the Jamaica midfielder will be a major contributor both on and off the pitch – and is delighted to see him stay.
“He’s been at the club since I came back, and we all know what an inspiration he is on the pitch,” Embleton said.
McAnuff has made 141 appearances for the O’s in two spells.