With Moore leaving Brisbane Road, will 19-year-old Freddy Moncur now get an opportunity?

East London Advertiser: Leyton Orient midfielder Sammy Moore knocks the ball forward at Brisbane Road (pic: Simon O'Connor).Leyton Orient midfielder Sammy Moore knocks the ball forward at Brisbane Road (pic: Simon O'Connor). (Image: Simon O'Connor Photography)

Leyton Orient manager Andy Hessenthaler was disappointed to lose the services of Armand Gnanduillet and Sammy Moore recently.

Both played a significant amount of matches for the O’s last season, but found chances harder to come by this year.

Gnanduillet only featured off the bench once, at Cheltenham Town, while Sammy Moore failed to make an appearance for Orient.

It led to the French striker departing to League Two rivals Blackpool on a permanent basis on August 19.

Ex-AFC Wimbledon ace Moore, meanwhile, moved back to old club Dover Athletic on loan until January.

“The squad isn’t too big, we just unfortunately can’t keep everybody happy and Armand wanted to play,” said Hessenthaler after Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Mansfield Town.

“He felt he wasn’t going to feature with the strikers we’ve got and we respected his wishes and he had an opportunity to go to Blackpool.

“We let him do that and Sammy was pretty much the same, he feels he needed to play and is nearly 29 so doesn’t want to be sitting on the bench.

“It doesn’t make it any easier for us because we need a squad and at the moment we’re down to 18 and we’ll see what we can do before Wednesday.”

East London Advertiser: Freddy Moncur in action for Leyton Orient on his competitive debut against Luton Town last year in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy (pic: Simon O'Connor).Freddy Moncur in action for Leyton Orient on his competitive debut against Luton Town last year in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy (pic: Simon O'Connor). (Image: 07958 573219 simon.oconnor@virgin.net)

With Moore moving back to Dover until at least January, some have speculated it could offer an opportunity to talented youngster Freddy Moncur.

The 19-year-old impressed when given a chance in pre-season and looked composed on both of his two appearances for the first team last year.

After spending time on loan at Ryman Premier outfit Wingate & Finchley in March, it seems Moncur could do similar again.

Hessenthaler added: “We feel Freddy probably needs to go out at some stage and get some games, which we’re working on.

“At the moment he’s in the building, we’ve got three in the central midfield position with the captain Robbie Weir on the bench against Mansfield.

“We’re okay in that area I think, but maybe we need to look at another defender and a striker.”

Moncur could be involved for Orient in the English Football League Trophy tonight when Stevenage visit Brisbane Road, but could find himself loaned out to another club tomorrow, which seems best for his development.