Orient boss pleased with Jamaica success

East London Advertiser: Orient's Jobi McAnuff (pic: Simon O'Connor)Orient's Jobi McAnuff (pic: Simon O'Connor) (Image: Simon O'Connor Photography)

Leyton Orient boss Ian Hendon is looking forward to welcoming Jobi McAnuff back from international duty with Jamaica.

Midfielder McAnuff has been away for most of the summer with the Reggae Boyz, competing in the Copa America and helping them reach the final of the Gold Cup, where they face Mexico in Philadelphia in the early hours of tomorrow morning.

The 33-year-old sat out a training session yesterday with a slight foot problem but is expected to feature at Lincoln Financial Field.

And Hendon, speaking after Orient’s 3-0 friendly win at Colchester, said: “I’m really pleased they’re going well. He’s been away and played six or seven games over the summer and I think he’s played every minute, so he’s going to come back in good shape that’s for sure.”

McAnuff played against Uruguay, Paraguay and beaten World Cup finalists Argentina at the Copa America in Chile last month, then netted in their opening 2-2 draw with Costa Rica at the Gold Cup.

Jamaica beat Canada, El Salvador and Haiti by single goals, before upsetting the United States 2-1 in their semi-final meeting in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

But when McAnuff, who made 38 appearances for Orient last season following his release from Reading, netting three times, first appears for O’s this term remains to be seen.

Hendon added: “He’s been going for the whole summer. When he comes back, we’ll have a look at him, assess how he is and go from there.

“There might be a case later in the season when he has to have a rest.”