The likes of Matt Harrold, Charlie Lee and James Dayton are unlikely to play again for O’s during this campaign even if they return to fitness

East London Advertiser: Leyton Orient forward Matt Harrold looks to fire the ball towards the Gateshead penalty area (pic: Simon O'Connor).Leyton Orient forward Matt Harrold looks to fire the ball towards the Gateshead penalty area (pic: Simon O'Connor). (Image: 07958 573219 simon.oconnor@virgin.net)

Ross Embleton has hinted Leyton Orient won’t rush any of their current injured players back before the end of the season.

Matt Harrold was the latest member of the O’s squad to suffer an injury with the big forward coming off during the 3-0 win over Woking on March 24 with a hamstring problem.

Orient sent the ex-Crawley Town striker for a scan and the initial prognosis doesn’t look great and the 33-year-old is unlikely to feature again this season.

When discussing Harrold’s injury, assistant Embleton appeared to suggest the other absentees, like first-team captain Charlie Lee (ACL) and James Dayton (hamstring), will also remain on the sidelines as they look ahead to the 2018/19 campaign.

“I know Matt had a scan recently and it was not as positive as we hoped. I don’t know the real severity of it because we’ve been travelling here, there and everywhere over Easter, but it wasn’t looking great for Matt,” said Embleton.

“Obviously there is not too many games left, certainly not as many as Matt would hope, so it isn’t looking great with regard to him getting back before April 28.

“I think, like with a number of our other injuries, it is a case of getting himself fully recovered and then prepared to hit the ground running when pre-season starts.

“Yes we would love to see him back soon, but I think at the moment the stance is we probably won’t.”

Given Orient are now virtually safe from the threat of relegation, Harrold is not really needed with Macauley Bonne, Dan Holman, David Mooney and Josh Koroma, if required, able to cover the forward positions.

The more interesting news is the fact it seems Lee won’t play again between now and the end of the season.

After suffering anterior cruciate ligament damage towards the end of August, there did seem a chance the ex-Stevenage midfielder would return before the season drew to a close on April 28.

It is probably wise for Orient to get him to focus on the upcoming campaign though, so he can be 100 per cent fit and raring to go come July.

O’s fans didn’t get to see the best of Lee before his unfortunate injury, but he played an integral part in promotions at Peterborough United and Gillingham and will aim to do the same at Brisbane Road next season.