Steve Davis doesn’t have too many options to change his starting XI at Brisbane Road

Leyton Orient should have Matt Harrold available to face Gateshead this evening with boss Steve Davis admitting the forward will make a big difference.

The former Crawley Town striker has struggled with a calf problem since joining the O’s earlier this season.

Harrold has only made five appearances for Orient, but scored twice and could be on the bench tonight.

Davis said: “I’m not sure Alex (Lawless) will make it with his groin, but Matt will hopefully be fit and he would have made a big difference on Saturday (1-0 defeat to Macclesfield Town).

“I left Jobi (McAnuff) off the bench because he is still feeling that groin a bit. He could have played with it, but I want to try and give him as much time as I can for it to settle down.

“It might take longer than the week he has had at the moment, but it’s needs must now and players like that might make a difference on the pitch even if it’s for a short space of time.

“We’ll look at it and see whether Matt and Jobi are available, but I don’t think we’ll get anyone else back, so we need to find a way of winning with what’s available and that’s my job and what I’ve got to try and do.”

Although Davis expressed his disappointment with Saturday’s performance during the O’s 1-0 loss to Macclesfield, it is hard to see what changes he may make.

James Brophy impressed off the bench, so he could perhaps replace Myles Judd if Orient stick with their 3-5-2/5-3-2 formation.

But Harrold is unlikely to be fit enough to start so Macauley Bonne and David Mooney will probably remain up front.

Ruel Sotiriou made his home and league debut last weekend, though whether he is ready to start in attack remains to be seen.

Gateshead will provide O’s with a stern test and the Heed players will be out to impress new boss Steve Watson.

The former Newcastle United favourite saw his team lose 3-2 at Eastleigh on Saturday and they are 17th in the table – one place above Orient due to a slightly better goal difference going into tonight’s contest.