ALTON THELWELL will miss the rest of the season with a persistent knee problem.

The 27-year-old defender has suffered with the injury for the majority of the campaign but he will now see a specialist with a view to getting the problem cured before the start of pre-season.

Thelwell, Orient's club captain, has featured in 32 games during the 2007/08 season, forming an excellent partnership with Tamika Mkandawire as Orient topped the table in the first half of the campaign.

O's boss Martin Ling said: "Everyone knows that Alton's been playing with a knee injury. He doesn't train an awful lot and last Saturday proved to be one step too far.

"He's fought for it all year, but it's a case now of having to get it sorted sooner rather than later.

"We want him right for the start of next season, so it made sense for it to be looked at now."