Forward confident whoever replaces George Elokobi and Josh Coulson will deliver for O’s at Brisbane Road

East London Advertiser: Leyton Orient forward David Mooney (right) is all smiles alongside young centre back Aron Pollock (pic: Simon O'Connor).Leyton Orient forward David Mooney (right) is all smiles alongside young centre back Aron Pollock (pic: Simon O'Connor). (Image: Simon O'Connor Photography)

David Mooney has backed young Leyton Orient defenders Michael Clark and Aron Pollock to take their chance if one of them is picked to start at home to Halifax Town in the National League this evening.

Steve Davis has been left with an injury crisis at centre back after Josh Coulson (groin) and George Elokobi (hamstring) failed to finish Saturday’s defeat at Boreham Wood.

Both are unlikely to feature tonight or at home to Hartlepool United on Saturday, so the O’s will have to change their back four.

Jamie Sendles-White is expected to fill one of the two available positions, but one of Clark, Pollock or perhaps even Dan Happe will partner him.

Mooney said: “If ‘Clarky’ plays I know he will do well because he has been training with me and Macauley Bonne and Matt Harrold and doing well and it is the same with Jamie.

“I know if Jamie plays at the back or in the centre of midfield that he will do a good job just like Aron Pollock and Myles Judd.

“Whoever steps in we know they will do well because they are great lads and they want to do well for the club.”

Orient may not only be without Elokobi and Coulson at Brisbane Road tonight with Mooney hinting other members of the first-team may be out due to injury.

But regardless of who is selected to start against the Shaymen, the experienced striker knows the squad will be determined to right the wrongs of Saturday.

The O’s were poor against Boreham Wood, although it was hard to question the effort of the players.

“Over the next two games we are probably going to have a sprinkle of youth in the team with Josh and George out,” said Mooney.

“I am not sure how long they will be out for and there are one or two others. I am not sure if the manager has said much, but a few are feeling it and have niggles. After a defeat the niggles are always worse, but we will recover and go again.

“We’ve a great group and a tremendous following and we let them down at Boreham Wood, but they know every week we are going to turn up and try our best and that’s the main thing because maybe over the last few years that hasn’t happened.”

There was, understandably, a lot of disappointment after Saturday’s result, especially given the lack of chances created.

But Mooney was quick to highlight how far the club have come since Nigel Travis and Kent Teague took over on June 22.

He added: “The crowd have been fantastic and I said it at Harlow Town that they will be with us every step of the way.

“Look 12 weeks ago what would we have given to be in the situation we find ourselves in now?

“We would have given our right and left arm and legs, so the situation is we are all happy with how things are going. Saturday was a disappointment, but hopefully we see a reaction against Halifax.”

Mooney is right. Orient have come a long way since the dark days of the previous ownership and in quick time too.

But the squad put together is full of quality and experience and they need to make sure they don’t have too many more off-days.