SOUTHEND United’s Jason Demetriou will be keen to express his gratitude when he heads back to Leyton Orient this weekend.

The 30-year-old Shrimpers right-back was handed his first opportunity in senior football by the O’s back in 2005.

And Demetriou insists he will forever be grateful for how Orient and their former manager Martin Ling helped to shape his career.

“I’m looking forward to going back to Orient because I really do owe them a lot and I’ll never forget that,” said Demetriou.

“Martin Ling gave me a chance there when I was only 16 and if he hadn’t have done that I don’t know where I would have gone for the opportunity.

“I know he’s back at the club in a leading role so it will be good to see him again because he’s had a huge influence on my career.”

Ling - who is now director of football at Orient - made 164 appearances for the Shrimpers during his own playing career.

And it was Ling who also encouraged Demetriou to play internationally for Cyprus.

“When the opportunity first came up for me to play for Cyprus I was a little bit wary about it if I’m honest,” he said.

“But it was Martin who told me to go and play and said it would broaden my game.

“I’m glad I followed his advice because it’s been a fantastic experience for me.”

However, Demetriou believes Orient may be slightly surprised where he now plays.

“I was still a winger when I left Orient and I didn’t actually become a right-back until I played in Cyprus,” said Demetriou.

“I was about 23 at the time and Jordi Cruyff, my manager, said the way modern full-backs play would suit my game.

“I’ve learnt the role from there really and it’s something I enjoy.”

Demetriou will line up at right-back tomorrow as hopes the final pre-season friendly will be followed by a successful season.

“I’ve only had one promotion in my career but I want another one now,” said the defender.

“I got promotion with Orient but I probably only played about 10 games that season so I wasn’t really that involved.

“Hopefully I will be with Southend this season and we can go up because I do think we have the players, manager and staff to do just that.”