Former Millwall striker Shaun Batt hoping to prove to himself that he can play regularly after long spells on the sidelines.

How Shaun Batt signed for Leyton Orient may be a new phenomenon, but his main focus now is to help the O’s gain promotion.

After Batt announced his departure from Millwall, Orient chairman Barry Hearn took to Twitter to express an interest in a permanent move for the striker, who had spent a successful spell on loan at Brisbane Road last season.

And within a matter of days, a two-year deal was agreed between the former Peterborough United man and Russell Slade’s side.

“It’s certainly a different way of going about it,” said Batt. “It showed that they wanted and liked me – which is always nice as a player.

“There wasn’t too much to sort out and the deal was done pretty quickly. It was an easy decision for me to return because of how much I enjoyed it last year.

“To get a deal done early before pre-season started was ideal as it is never easy coming into anything halfway through. It gives you the maximum amount of time to get fully fit before the season.”

Batt followed quickly in the footsteps of fellow striker David Mooney in signing a deal at Brisbane Road and the 26-year-old knows he faces competition to be a regular starter for the O’s this season.

“Competition brings the best out of you and I am sure it will do the same for me,” he added.

“It’s not going to be easy and I don’t have the divine right to be selected in front of David Mooney and Kevin Lisbie, so I’ll have to work hard between now and the start of the season.”

Batt’s career has been blighted by injury, having spent over a season on the treatment table with a cruciate knee injury almost immediately after joining Millwall on a permanent deal following their League One play-off win at the end of the 2010-11 season.

But now he feels he has the opportunity to prove a point to himself that he can play regularly without any stresses or strains.

“I need to prove it to myself that I can play a whole season,” he added.

“I’ve played in the Championship and know what it takes. Hopefully I’ll be helping Orient reach that level.”