Justin Edinburgh: Leyton Orient appoint new head coach

Justin Edinburgh won promotion to the Football League with Newport County in 2012-13

National League strugglers Leyton Orient have appointed former Gillingham and Northampton boss Justin Edinburgh as their new head coach.

The 47-year-old ex-Tottenham defender has agreed a two-and-a-half-year deal with the O's and replaces Steve Davis, who was sacked on 14 November.

Edinburgh had been out of work since parting company with the Cobblers in August after seven months in charge.

Orient are 20th in the table, three points above the relegation zone.

The east London club, who were relegated from League Two last season, have gone 14 league games without a win.

Edinburgh has experience of non-league football from spells in charge of Fisher Athletic, Grays Athletic and Rushden & Diamonds, while he led Newport County to promotion to the Football League in 2012-13 via the play-offs.

"We built up a criteria for a head coach and Justin ticked all of the boxes," Orient director of football Martin Ling told the club website.

"He has experience in the National League, which I feel is of huge importance, but also enjoyed success in this division by achieving promotion with Newport. We feel we have got the right man."