Former Colchester United winger discusses going back to his old club and visiting another during pre-season with east Londoners

Gavin Massey admitted he had his eye on when Leyton Orient would be playing former side Colchester United when the new League Two fixtures were revealed last Wednesday.

The 23-year-old completed a switch from the U’s to Brisbane Road at the start of this month and will go back to his old home on November 12.

Colchester make the trip to east London on April 29 – the penultimate league fixture of the campaign.

Massey is hoping it will be a successful season for Orient and is determined to help them start strongly again this year.

He said: “The games with Colchester were always going to be the matches I looked out for, but it seems like a good start for us overall.

“It will be difficult, of course, but we have a few fixtures at home and we want to start well and with a bang. If we can do that, hopefully we get some momentum and keep it.”

Orient also discovered last week they will host London rivals and Championship side Fulham in the first round of the English Football League Cup.

The tie will be Andy Hessenthaler’s first competitive game in charge at Brisbane Road, on Tuesday, August 9, with tickets priced £18 adults and £13 concessions.

Massey is excited by the clash and firmly believes the O’s can cause an upset – the last time they played Fulham in 2006, they won 2-1 at Craven Cottage in the FA Cup third round.

He added: “That’s a good challenge, I know a few of the boys there and it’s great to be playing higher opposition.

“That is where the club wants to be so it will be a challenge, but it will be good to be playing in front of our fans and we want to progress to the next round, so it should be a great start to the season for us.”

Orient’s first pre-season clash will take place next Thursday (July 7) when they take on Italy’s under-19s.

After that they’re first on English soil will be at National League South outfit Wealdstone on July 12.

Massey spent time on loan at the club during 2011 and is excited about the prospect of playing them again.

“We’ve got the pre-season games coming up and we are playing a lot of teams I know from League One,” said the Orient attacker.

“They should give us some good challenges and get us ready for the year ahead, that’s the main thing.

“We are off to Wealdstone and I spent a few months there before and played them last season so that will be good.

“I think all the friendlies will be decent tests and get us ready for the year ahead and what is to come.”