ALTON THELWELL is keen for Orient to learn from their 2007/08 experience and make next season a campaign to remember.

After signing a new one-year contract on Thursday, the 27-year-old defender insisted that the O's can build from the platform of this year's mid-table finish and challenge for honours next term.

He said: "I'm delighted to have signed the contract and I'm really looking forward to next season.

"We were disappointed not to make the play-offs this year, so after the summer break we will come back raring to go for the challenge.

"We had a taste of life at the top of the table in the first part of the season, and we'll take the positives of that experience to build on for next year.

"Those first three months of the season proved that we have the quality to compete, and with a bit of luck we can put together a more sustained challenge in 2008/09."

Thelwell missed the final month of the campaign after undergoing knee surgery and he revealed that his rehabilitation is going well.

"Something had to be done about the knee and it was a bit of a blessing in disguise to have the operation before the end of the season," explained the former Spurs defender.

"It meant that I could begin my rehab earlier and I'll be ready for the start of pre-season."