O's injury worries take cream off Devon trip!

29 July 2010

IT’S A WORRY: Orient defender Charlie Daniels is struggling to be fit for the start of the season.

By Trevor Davies

LEYTON ORIENT defender Charlie Daniels is struggling to be fit for the start of the new season.

Russell Slade's side kick-off their League One campaign in 10 days time at Yeovil and the highly-rated left-back, who signed a new two-year deal in the summer, has yet to play a part in the club's pre-season games.

With defender Ben Chorley and midfielder Adam Chambers also spending time on the treatment table, Slade will be keeping his fingers firmly crossed that the players can get through their final three pre-season warm-up matches without any more problems.

Daniels strained his knee ligaments in training and although he went on the club's week-long tour to Devon he was a spectator at all three games.

Inspirational defender Chorley also failed to play in any of the tour matches because of a niggling calf injury.

He played in in the first two games at Cray and St Albans City and trained on the first day of the Devon trip, before being sidelined.

But Slade was hoping he was able to make a return in last night's (Wednesday's) friendly against Spurs at Brisbane Road.

The other injury worry for Slade at the moment is that midfielder Adam Chambers had to be withdrawn in the first half of Saturday's friendly against Blackpool because of a calf problem.

The battling midfielder has suffered with a string of injuries during the past 18 months, but Slade is hoping the new problem will not be long term.

"Adam had a tight calf, but we're hoping he's going to be okay," he said.

With Daniels struggling to make the start of the season, Slade may be tempted to try and keep Kenny Gillet.

The former Barnet man turned down a new contract at Underhill and is currently a free agent.

O's have little cover at left back and Gillet who has been at the club during pre-season, travelled to Devon with the squad and has played in the friendlies.

Centre back Ben Tozer is another keen to impress. He is currently with Newcastle, but could be a potential loan signing.

Despite the injury worries Slade is optimistic about the season ahead, but after making nine summer signings he knows the squad may take a little time to settle.

"With just 10 days to go before the league season starts we are getting close and it's a really exciting time," he said.

"Everyone is really looking forward to kicking off at Yeovil.

"It's come around quickly, but we have done a lot of hard work since we have been back and we are raring to go."

But Slade warned that the fans might not see the best of his side straight away.

"It's a long season and we have virtually a new team. We will improve as the season goes on," he said.

"If we can stay injury free then we will be fine, I have no worries about that."

Although fitness doubts have clouded pre-season, Slade admits that he was delighted to have Jonathan Tehoue back in action.

The French striker suffered a hamstring injury last Easter and it was thought that he could miss the start of the season.

But he returned to action in Devon and Slade admitted: "That's what happens in pre-season, there has been some good news with Jonathan coming back and some bad news with other injuries. But overall I'm delighted with the way things have gone.

"I'm really pleased with the progress we're making on and off the field and the Devon trip was good because it really helped the new players settle in.

"That was one of the key reasons for having a week away. Having a good team spirit is so important and being away for a week like that really helps everyone to bond and gel.

"The only negatives are that Charlie Daniels hasn't played and Ben Chorley needs to be playing and we need to see how Adam Chambers reacts to treatment.

"But I'm really happy with the squad. Kenny Gillet and Ben Tozer have come in and done well during their trial periods too, so overall I'm pleased, but just a little bit concerned about the injury situation.