Following two victories on the road, Leyton Orient have the opportunity to reclaim top-spot in the National League with victory at home to Wrexham.
Jay Simpson bagged his first goal for the club since returning in late January, as a goal each from Sam Ling and Jordan Maguire-Drew helped the O’s edge a 3-2 victory away to Barrow.
Dan Happe was forced off the pitch midway through the second half, and is likely to join Myles Judd on the list of players unavailable for this Saturday’s fixture.
James Dayton and Josh Koroma have both returned to training, though are unlikely to start such a vital game having both spent lengthy spells on the side-line.
League Leaders
Welsh side Wrexham join the O’s in the push for promotion and will be wary of losing Saturday’s tie as they come into the game just two points above Orient.
Manager Bryan Hughes, who took charge of the club as recently as last month, is yet to taste defeat since sealing a three-and-a-half-year contract with the club.
Five games into his reign, the former Dragon’s player faces the challenge of leading his side to a positive result at The Breyer Group Stadium.
The promotion hopefuls were boosted as Rob Lainton, Shaun Pearson and Stuart Beavon all returned for the mid-week fixture against Chesterfield. However, Mark Carrington missed out and is unlikely to be risked against Orient as he recovers from a thigh strain.
Attacking Power
34-year-old journey-man Matt Harrold is unlikely to start Saturday’s fixture, but the big forward’s physical presence is a helpful tool to utilise from the bench.
In two previous wins against the Welsh side this season, the use of a powerful forward has been the key to getting the better of Wrexham’s defence.
Two late goals were a result of James Alabi’s introduction from the bench in December, while Harrold netted the winner in the FA Trophy fixture between the two sides.
All considered, Justin Edinburgh will likely start Macauley Bonne and Jay Simpson up-top, perhaps introducing Harrold to expose a tired defence in the latter stages of the game.
Form Book
| Barrow 2-3 Leyton Orient | Wrexham 1-0 Chesterfield |
| Havant & W 1-2 Leyton Orient | Gateshead 1-1 Wrexham |
| Brackley Town 1-2 Leyton Orient (FA Trophy) | Boreham Wood 0-2 Wrexham |
| Leyton Orient 0-1 Maidenhead | Havant & W 2-3 Wrexham |
| Hartlepool 1-1 Leyton Orient | Wrexham 1-0 Dag & Red |
| Leyton Orient 1-0 Blyth Spartans (FA Trophy) | Wrexham 1-0 Maidenhead |
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | PTS |
| Leyton Orient: 2nd | 35 | 19 | 10 | 6 | 31 | 67 |
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | PTS |
| Wrexham: 1st | 36 | 20 | 9 | 7 | 20 | 69 |
Healthy Record
Orient have got the better of The Dragons twice this season, with both victories coming at The Racecourse Ground.
Two late goals from Macauley Bonne and James Brophy sealed a massive victory in the National League last year.
Meanwhile, Matt Harrold’s penalty ensured the O’s safe passage to the quarter-finals of the FA Trophy back in January.
Impressively, Dean Brill played both ties and performed at his best to keep a clean sheet in both games against the Welsh giants.
Did you know?
The game will be broadcast live on BT Sport, providing those who can’t get a ticket with the opportunity to enjoy this National League clash.
The O’s will look to break superstitions on Saturday evening, with the east-London side failing to win the last seven games where they have been broadcast by the TV giants.
Most recently on BT, Orient fell to a 1-0 defeat away to Boreham Wood in early December.
When and Where?
The match will take place this Saturday 9th March at The Breyer Group Stadium, home of Leyton Orient, with kick off at 12:35.
If you are going to the game, simply head to Stratford station and take one stop Eastbound on the Central line to Leyton station.
The stadium is no more than a ten-minute walk from the station and is sign posted around the area. Alternatively, you can enter E10 5NF into your phone and follow directions.
