L Orient v Walsall preview

Team news ahead of the League One clash between Leyton Orient and Walsall at the Matchroom Stadium.

Last Updated: 28/12/12 at 13:38   

Michael Symes: Set for late fitness test

Michael Symes: Set for late fitness test

Michael Symes is one beneficiary of Leyton Orient's recent postponements as he could be fit.

The striker was due to undergo a fitness test ahead of the festive fixture against Swindon but that fell foul of the wet weather just days after the match against Notts County bit the dust.

Having had an extra few days to recover from his hamstring problem, the 29-year-old is back in contention.

Kevin Lisbie recovered from a minor knock to start and score in the 3-1 loss to Scunthorpe, which ended the side's run of eight straight victories.

Boss Russell Slade should otherwise have a full complement of players to choose from as the O's seek to avoid being leapfrogged by the Saddlers in the League One table.

Dean Smith may see no reason to change a winning formula when he takes his resurgent Walsall side to former club Leyton Orient.

Smith watched his team end a punishing 16-match winless run with a 1-0 victory over Colchester last weekend and they duly followed that up with a stunning 4-2 success at MK Dons on Boxing Day.

Smith kept faith with an unchanged XI for both games and, with no new injury or suspension problems expected, will likely send out the same side again at Brisbane Road.

Midfielder Florent Cuvelier will continue to build up his match fitness after increased cameos against the U's and Dons following his return from a lengthy hamstring injury.

Midfielder Nicky Featherstone (ankle) will again be assessed ahead of the clash.

Saddlers boss Smith spent six years as a player with Orient, racking up over 300 appearances, before returning as youth coach and assistant manager, eventually parting ways in 2009 before linking up with Walsall.

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npower League 1

Position Team P GD PTS
1 Doncaster 46 18 84
2 Bournemth 46 23 83
3 Brentford 46 15 79
4 Yeovil 46 15 77
5 Sheff Utd 46 14 75
6 Swindon 46 33 74
7 Leyton Or 46 7 71
8 MK Dons 46 17 70
9 Walsall 46 7 68
10 Crawley 46 1 68
11 Tranmere 46 10 67
12 Notts Co 46 12 65
13 Crewe 46 -8 64
14 Preston 46 5 59
15 Coventry 46 7 55
16 Shrewsbury 46 -6 55
17 Carlisle 46 -21 55
18 Stevenage 46 -17 54
19 Oldham 46 -13 51
20 Colchester 46 -21 51
21 Scunthorpe 46 -24 48
22 Bury 46 -28 41
23 Hartlepool 46 -28 41
24 Portsmouth 46 -18 32

Updated Sat, 27 Apr 2013

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