O’s head coach Justin Edinburgh provides an update on Jobi McAnuff plus George Elokobi and praises Ebou Adams and Josh Koroma

East London Advertiser: Josh Koroma celebrates after scoring for Leyton Orient against Gateshead (pic: Simon O'Connor).Josh Koroma celebrates after scoring for Leyton Orient against Gateshead (pic: Simon O'Connor). (Image: 07958 573219 simon.oconnor@virgin.net)

Jobi McAnuff will see a specialist at some point today to determine when the Leyton Orient winger can return to action.

The 36-year-old has not played since the O’s 4-3 win at Dover Athletic in the third round of the FA Trophy on February 3.

McAnuff’s injury, initially diagnosed as a neck problem, didn’t appear too severe, but the former Reading captain has yet to return to full fitness.

It is hoped today’s appointment will help the Londoner recover from his injury and Orient were also without George Elokobi on Saturday due to a mixture of illness and the hamstring problem he suffered in the warm-up at Chester last Tuesday.

Justin Edinburgh said: “George was ill and probably wouldn’t have made the Gateshead game because of his hamstring injury – it is still tight from Chester.

“Jobi’s injury is a deep nerve problem and we have to go through a procedure to see if it clears, but he goes to see a specialist on Monday and we await the outcome of that.

“Hopefully it will be good and if they can get the injection in the right area it should be no problem going forward.”

Another injury issue to come out of Saturday’s 3-3 draw with Gateshead was Ebou Adams appearing to suffer a groin problem before he was replaced in the 73rd minute by Alex Lawless.

The Norwich City under-23 loanee was in imperious form throughout O’s FA Trophy quarter-final clash at Brisbane Road.

Josh Koroma also produced another encouraging display despite a shaky start and it was the pair who put Orient in control.

Koroma scored a stunning opener in the 35th minute and Adams rifled home his first goal for the club seven minutes after half time.

When a free kick from Koroma was headed home by Josh Coulson in the 57th minute, O’s seemed in control.

Gateshead produced a fine comeback though with Danny Johnson netting a brace and Richard Peniket equalising on the stroke of full time.

It didn’t detract from what was another good showing from two of Orient’s younger players, Edinburgh said: “Josh and Ebou have been very, very consistent and have showed real maturity.

“I’m pleased for both of them, especially Ebou getting his first for the club and Josh got another and they are both playing very well.”

Unfortunately it wasn’t enough for O’s to secure their spot in the last-four of the FA Trophy.