Orient turn their attention back to the National League after an impressive 1-0 victory away to Wrexham in the FA Trophy last weekend. Matt Harrold’s penalty was the difference between the two league rivals.
Justin Edinburgh could hand a debut to new signing Jamie Turley; the central defender joins the O’s from League Two outfit Notts County.
Key defensive duo Josh Coulson Marvin Ekpiteta will be sidelined for the next few weeks after picking up injuries against Salford and Wrexham respectively.
The league leaders will be boosted by the availability of central midfielder Craig Clay, who is set to return after picking up an injury away to Dagenham & Redbridge on Boxing Day.
Flowing Fleet
Garry Hill’s Ebbsfleet side come into the game on the back of some good form. They are unbeaten in their previous four games. The Fleet have been a part of some high scoring matches, finding the net 14 times in their last four outings.
Captain Dave Winfield will be sidelined by a knee injury picked up during the 4-2 victory at home to Braintree Town on Boxing Day.
Sam Magri remains out after suffering a knee injury in the reverse fixture between these two sides earlier in the season.
Form Book
| Wrexham 0-1 Leyton Orient (FA Trophy) | Chesterfield 3-3 Ebbsfleet |
| Leyton Orient 0-3 Salford | Braintree 0-4 Ebbsfleet |
| Leyton Orient 1-0 Dagenham & Redbridge | Ebbsfleet 3-0 Eastleigh |
| Dover 0-0 Leyton Orient | Ebbsfleet 4-2 Braintree |
| Dagenham & Redbridge 2-1 Leyton Orient | Fylde 2-0 Ebbsfleet |
| Leyton Orient 3-1 Chesterfield | Ebbsfleet 0-1 Dagenham (FA Trophy) |
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | PTS |
| Leyton Orient: 1st (National League) | 29 | 16 | 9 | 4 | 29 | 57 |
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | PTS |
| Ebbsfleet: 9th (National League) | 29 | 12 | 8 | 9 | 12 | 44 |
Defensive Dilemmas
O’s fans will be keen to see the centre-back pairing fielded by Edinburgh following injuries to star men Josh Coulson and Marvin Ekpiteta. Their contribution at the back has been impeccable, helping the O’s claim 13 clean sheets in the league this season.
George Elokobi and Dan Happe have played little football this season, but the arrival of Jamie Turley presents another option at the back. Joe Widdowson may cover in central defence, providing young Jayden Sweeney with valuable game time at left-back.
Ebbsfleet’s danger man is striker Danny Kedwell who has bagged 12 goals for the Fleet this season. The veteran journeyman has been with the club for four years.
New Recruit
Orient completed the signing of centre-back Jamie Turley on Wednesday; the deal initially ties him to E10 until the end of the season.
The 28-year-old has made 18 appearances in League Two for Notts County this season, and has past experience of the National League.
Turley was a key man for Boreham Wood last season where he spent a loan spell at the club.
He told Orient’s official club website, ‘’I’m really committed,’’ whilst Justin Edinburgh admitted trying to sign Turley on “one or two occasions.”
Odds Even
Substitute Corey Whitely’s deflected effort rescued a point for Ebbsfleet as Orient were held to a 1-1 draw at the Breyer Group Stadium earlier this year.
James Brophy had put the O’s ahead after 18 minutes, but Justin Edinburgh’s side were unable to claim all three points in their first home game of the season on 7th August 2018.
When and Where?
The match will take place at the Kuflink Stadium this Saturday 19th January with kick-off scheduled for 15:00.
A win could see the O’s go five points clear at the top of the table, providing the likes of Salford and Solihull Moors drop points.
