Orient are gearing up for their first game of the new season in front of their own fans against newly promoted Hereford United. The Bulls are expected to bring a vociferous following down to East London and it is all pointing towards a cracking opener.
It has been over a decade since Orient and Hereford last faced each other, with Orient winning the previous encounter 2-1 back in April 1997.
Home Team News
Orient striker Simon Dawkins is expected to miss out after his knock against parent club Tottenham Hotspur last week.
Boss Martin Ling, meanwhile, is boosted by the likely returns of midfielder Paul Terry and defender Tamika Mkandawire after the duo overcame ankle and groin problems respectively.
Summer signings Danny Granville, Ryan Jarvis, Jamie Jones and Andrew Cave-Brown are all vying to make their competitive debuts as Orient bid to make an impressive start to the season.
Home Player to Watch
JJ Melligan should hopefully continue his excellent pre-season form on the right hand side.
Away Team News
Hereford boss Graham Turner will be without key defender Karl Broadhurst as the Bulls prepare to start life in League One at the Matchroom Stadium.
The 28-year-old will miss the start of the season after dislocating his shoulder during pre-season, meaning new signing from Man City Garry Breen is likely to line-up with on-loan Liverpool youngster Robbie Threlfall in a defensive berth.
On-loan Charlton goalkeeper Darren Randolph looks set to battle it out with fellow new-boy, former Dundee keeper Craig Samson for the number 1 jersey.
Striker Moses Ashikodi, who signed on a six-month loan from Watford on Tuesday, is expected to go straight into the starting XI.
Turner may also hand competitive debuts to Matty Done, Toumani Diagouraga and Bradley Hudson-Odoi and former Orient defender Sam Oji, recently signed after being released by Martin Ling at the end of last season.
Away Player to Watch
Moses Ashikodi is a pacy striker who could cause the Orient defence problems.
Referee – Andy Penn from the West Midlands.
Vital Prediction: Orient 1-0 Hereford.
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