The academy graduate discussed Orient’s targets for the 2018/19 campaign and the mentality of the squad

Justin Edinburgh had to leave a lot of quality players out of his Leyton Orient matchday squad at Salford City, but one member of his team has given a glimpse into the mindset of the group.

After an excellent goal return in pre-season, Josh Koroma started at Moor Lane and played most of the match before he was subbed off in the 80th minute.

The 19-year-old will hope it is the first of many starts this term, but knows what he has to do if he does find himself on the bench.

Edinburgh has put together a close-knit squad of 24 players including teenagers Ruel Sotiriou and Shadrach Ogie, and Koroma believes everyone will be needed during the 2018/19 campaign.

When discussing the O’s group recently, the attacker said: “Everyone is trying to play well because no one wants to be left out.

“But all of us players know if we do get left out, we are going to play a part at some point during the season.

“We have a smaller squad this year and there will be injuries unfortunately, so everyone knows they have a part to play.”

As with every season, Orient will be out to earn success this term and that will be in the form of a Football League return.

The O’s know they have plenty of competition with some other big clubs now in the division, and also some large budgets.

Orient’s squad seems relaxed about their targets, however, and appear to want to let their football on the pitch do the talking.

Koroma added: “Going into the season we just want to win as many games as possible and be as high up in the table as possible.

“Everyone is looking forward to it and hopefully we can win the league and if not, we’ll definitely try to get in the play-offs.”

A top-seven finish is certainly the aim for Orient and what will help their cause is no injuries to key players this time around.

Last season they were without Charlie Lee for most of the term, plus James Dayton, Josh Coulson and George Elokobi all missed large chunks of the campaign.

Matt Harrold also had a hard time with injuries and so did Alex Lawless, but most of the O’s squad are fit and raring to go for a busy August schedule.

On top of their 24-man group, Orient do have several academy players pushing for first-team spots and two of them have gone out on loan to keep developing.

Charles Clayden and Hector Kyprianou have signed on loan for Bostik Premier Harlow Town and will make their competitive debuts on Saturday at Whitehawk.