Rovers players have paid tribute to Leyton Orient manager Justin Edinburgh who died at the age of 49 after suffering a cardiac arrest.

Orient announced Edinburgh's death, saying the former Tottenham defender had died on Saturday after suffering the arrest on Monday.

Rovers players Bradley Dack, Dominic Samuel and Amari’i Bell all played under Edinburgh during his time with Gillingham from February 2015 to January 2017.

Dack was named League One player of the year in 2015/16, scoring 15 goals as Gills went close to securing a play-off spot under Edinburgh's tutelage.

Posting on social media, the 25-year-old said: Devastated doesn’t even cut it. What you did for me on and off the pitch made me who I am today and I will be forever grateful. You was more than just a manager to me you was a great friend and the world is a much worse place without you. Love you mate RIP Justin. Thoughts are with @Charliedinburgh Cydnie and Kerri and the rest of the family. Thinking off you all.”

Edinburgh had just guided Orient to promotion back to the EFL after taking over in November 2017 as the club began an extensive rebuild.

"We are completely heartbroken by this tragedy," said Orient chairman Nigel Travis.

"All our thoughts and love are with the Edinburgh family and we know from the messages that have flooded into the club over the last week that the wider football world will share our sentiments.

"The success that Justin brought to Leyton Orient was incredible, but more importantly the impact he had on us all as a winner and a wonderful, inspirational human being will be his legacy and will stay with us forever.”

Dominic Samuel was on loan at the Priestfield Stadium in 2015/16, scoring seven goals.

“Rest in peace Justin. You were a great manager and taught me a lot about the professional game when I was at Gillingham. My prayers go out to your family,” he wrote.

As a left-back, Edinburgh made his name at Tottenham, making more than 250 appearances in a 10-year stay, winning the FA Cup in 1991 and the League Cup in 1999.

"Our heartfelt condolences and thoughts go out to his family and friends at this terribly difficult time as well as everyone that worked alongside Justin at Leyton Orient,” they said in a club statement.

Rovers full-back Amari’i Bell was one of Edinburgh’s first signings after taking charge, joining on a month loan deal in March 2015 from Birmingham.

He said: “Had the pleasure of working with Justin Edinburgh while on loan at gills. Top man as well as coach and it’s a shame he has passed at such a young age. May the work he’s done continue to live on and people lives he’s touched use it as fuel for better things. RIP Justin.”