Vice-captain full of praise for Harry Cornick and admits Andy Hessenthaler will have tough decisions to make regarding starting XI

Liam Kelly believes Leyton Orient need to play to their strengths against Stevenage tonight in League Two.

The midfielder played the full 90 minutes on Saturday as they lost 1-0 at Brisbane Road to Newport County.

Andy Hessenthaler’s team got involved in a battle with the Exiles and struggled to break down the visitors.

Kelly admitted it wasn’t the start they had hoped for at Brisbane Road, but backed them to bounce back this evening.

He said: “Everyone wanted the first home league game of the season to be a win, but it hasn’t happened.

“It is gone now and we move on. We will be looking for a victory against Stevenage, if we want to be achieving promotion this season, we’ve got to be winning games.

“I don’t focus too much on the opposition, we need to focus on what we’re doing out on the pitch.

“We have good squad strength, good individual players and if we play to our strengths, we should be winning games.”

Nigel Atanana and Harry Cornick impressed for Orient off the bench on Saturday against Newport.

Kelly was full of praise for the AFC Bournemouth loanee and concedes Hessenthaler has a tough job picking the team for tonight.

“Harry is a good lad and a very good player. He is just starting off in his career, but I think he’s going to have a very bright future,” said the ex-Oldham Athletic captain.

“He was unlucky not to score, but he did create numerous opportunities for us against Newport.

“You need competition for places, the loan window has changed this season so we’re going to need that strength if we get injuries or suspensions.

“We build for Stevenage now, this game with Newport is gone and it is going to be a tough team to select.”