Midfielder misses ‘huge’ fixtures due to international duty

East London Advertiser: O's Ryan Hedges gets away from Gavin Tomlin of Crawley (pic: Simon O'Connor)O's Ryan Hedges gets away from Gavin Tomlin of Crawley (pic: Simon O'Connor) (Image: simon.oconnor@virgin.net)

Ryan Hedges believes the next four matches for Leyton Orient are key if they are to beat the drop in League One, and he is gutted to be missing two of them.

The 19-year-old, on loan from Premier League Swansea City, was recently called up to the Wales under-21 squad for their European Championship Group Five qualifier against Bulgaria on Tuesday (March 31).

That means he will miss Saturday’s crunch clash with Port Vale at Brisbane Road and also Wednesday’s vital match with Coventry at the Ricoh Arena.

Although delighted to get another opportunity with his country, Hedges is disappointed he can’t help his O’s team-mates try and climb to safety.

East London Advertiser: O's Ryan Hedges celebrates his goal against Yeovil (pic: Simon O'Connor)O's Ryan Hedges celebrates his goal against Yeovil (pic: Simon O'Connor) (Image: Simon O"Connor/TGSPHOTO c/o 27 Plaiters Way)

“The next four games are huge,” said Hedges. “We have two away and two at home, but all are against teams around us.

“I have mixed emotions because I miss the next two games. It is nice to be called up to play for my country, but to miss these important games is frustrating.

“I’ve got faith in the ability of the team and I really believe we can get a result on Saturday and if we do we can take that into the Coventry game next week.”

Hedges believes O’s supporters can play their part on Saturday and inspire them to beat Port Vale.

East London Advertiser: Ryan Hedges of Leyton Orient tangles with John O'Sullivan of Barnsley (pic: Gavin Ellis/TGSPHOTO)Ryan Hedges of Leyton Orient tangles with John O'Sullivan of Barnsley (pic: Gavin Ellis/TGSPHOTO) (Image: Gavin Ellis/TGSPHOTO c/o 27 Plaiters Way, Braintree, Essex, CM7 3LR - Editorial Use ONLY - FA Premier League and Football Lea...)

Although he will be in Cardiff preparing for Wales’ clash with Bulgaria, he will be keeping up with the Orient score.

Hedges added: “I’ll keep updated on my phone. We are training on Saturday, but after that I am sure we will have some time in the afternoon so I will keep checking Sky Sports News.

“With the crowd behind us we can get the win against Port Vale. We’ve had good performances at home against Bristol City and Barnsley, where we were unlucky, and we have scored quite a few against Oldham and Yeovil.

“If we can get an early goal that will be a massive help and then we can go on and get the victory.”

East London Advertiser: O's Ryan Hedges celebrates his goal at Walsall (pic: Simon O'Connor)O's Ryan Hedges celebrates his goal at Walsall (pic: Simon O'Connor) (Image: Simon O'Connor Photography)

Hedges isn’t the only player to miss Orient’s next two matches due to international duty as Jobi McAnuff is linking up with Jamaica for friendlies against Venezuela and Cuba on Friday and Monday respectively.

But both will return when Gillingham visit Brisbane Road on Easter Monday (April 6).

Orient currently sit 22nd in the League One table with just nine matches left this season, but the Welsh youngster is confident Fabio Liverani’s side can stay up.

“It is all still to play for and is in our hands,” Hedges added.

“As long as nothing drastic happens, then I am sure we will get out of it.”