Leyton Oreient manager Russell Slade has hailed the impact made by Rowland since initialy joining the club on one-month deal.

Orient manager Russell Slade has praised the “positive influence” of Martin Rowlands, who signed a new contract with the club yesterday..

The veteran midfielder, 33, initially penned a one-month deal with the O’s in August and that contract was set to expire on Friday.

But the former Brentford and QPR player, who scored the equaliser in the 1-1 draw at Crewe Alexandra on Saturday, has agreed a new deal that will tie him to the club until late January.

And Slade is delighted that Rowlands is staying at Brisbane Road.

He said: “Martin has done really well for us.

“He’s got a lot of experience and has been a great presence in the changing room.

“He’s had a very positive influence on us.”

Slade is hoping that Rowlands will be fit to face Doncaster Rovers on Saturday after suffering a hamstring strain at Crewe, but admitted that he remains a doubt.

He said: “I’d rate his chances at 50-50.”

Jimmy Smith replaced Rowlands at half-time at Gresty Road and is set to keep his place come what may, with fellow midfielder Anthony Griffith having a one-match ban confirmed this week.

Griffith collected two bookings – for fouls on Abdul Osman and Luke Murphy – and was first in the showers following his stoppage-time dismissal.

And his manager accused the player of being “a bit silly” after having been on a yellow card since the 52nd minute, although he had no dispute with referee Graham Salisbury’s decisions.

Slade said: “They were both yellow cards and I said to the referee that I have no qualms about it.

“Having got the first one he was a bit silly with the second one and that’s cost him a game now.”

The O’s, who are now unbeaten in four games, have the opportunity to leapfrog Doncaster if they win on Saturday.

Rovers have the disadvantage of a midweek Capital One Cup game at Norwich City, which will also allow Slade to watch the opposition.

He said: “Assistant boss Kevin Nugent and I will be going to Norwich on Wednesday evening, but we know Doncaster have a good away record and will be tough to beat.”

And the manager is demanding more professionalism from his side this weekend after being annoyed by the early goal scored by Crewe.

Slade said: “We shouldn’t have allowed the cross to come in.

“Early on we needed to be more professional – we warned the players about Crewe’s quick start but we weren’t switched on enough.”