Former QPR man signs a short-term deal

Orient have completed the signing of former QPR midfielder Martin Rowlands on a short-term deal and he goes straight into the squad for tomorrow’s Capital One Cup clash against Everton.

The 33-year-old, who has been training with the club and appeared in some of the friendly fixtures, has joined on a one-month deal.

Rowlands, who spent a short spell at Colchester United last season, scored twice after making just seven league starts for the Essex club.

He also had loan spells at Wycombe and Millwall, but it was at QPR and Brentford where he really made a name for himself.

He spent nine years at Rangers, where he played almost 200 league games and netted 33 goals and won five caps for the Republic of Ireland, before leaving Loftus Road in January.

While he also made over 150 league appearances for the Bees.

Rowlands’ arrival comes just days after another QPR man, Lee Cook, signed a five-month contract with the club.

The 30-year-old winger, who enjoyed a loan spell at Brisbane Road last season, found himself without a club after being released by the Premier League side.

Cook returned to Brisbane Road and has spent the last three weeks training with the team.

The current wage-capping system dictated that a longer contract was not possible, but Cook is just delighted to have put pen to paper.

“It has been a difficult summer for a lot of players out there,” he said.

“It’s not a good year to be out of contract.

“But I have been here for the last three weeks getting myself fit and I’m pleased to have signed until January.

“It will be good to get going again.”

Cook makes no secret of the fact that he enjoyed his spell at Orient last season.

“The fact I was here last season was massive in deciding to sign again,” he said.

“I had a good relationship with the gaffer and Nuge (Kevin Nugent) and I enjoyed my loan spell here.

“I didn’t really want to go up north in League One, so signing here is ideal.

“I know the place, I know the people here and I’ve got to know the new players over the last few weeks. I’m raring to go.”

And although O’s are currently without a point and in the bottom two, Cook is expecting more than a relegation scrap.

“I want to help push the team up the table because two defeats at the start of the season isn’t great,” he said.

“It’s important to get some early momentum, usually the team fighting at the top have good starts.

“There have only been two games, so it’s not heads down at the minute.”