Hendon has full confidence in young stopper should Alex Cisak be unavailable for Saturday

East London Advertiser: Leyton Orient goalkeeper Alex Cisak forced into action against Wycombe Wanderers (pic: Simon O'Connor).Leyton Orient goalkeeper Alex Cisak forced into action against Wycombe Wanderers (pic: Simon O'Connor). (Image: 07958 573219 simon.oconnor@virgin.net)

Leyton Orient are set to be without Alex Cisak for this weekend’s League Two clash with Notts County at Brisbane Road, but head coach Ian Hendon has revealed they tried to delay the Australian’s departure.

The 26-year-old jets off to link up with the Socceroos for a training camp ahead of their FIFA World Cup qualifier with Jordan on October 8.

He is expected to be unavailable for the visit of the Magpies, but the O’s did try to get him to play. If he does go, young goalkeeper Charlie Grainger will make his home debut for the club on Saturday afternoon.

The 19-year-old has progressed through the Orient youth academy since 2009 and made his league debut at Exeter City at the beginning of September.

“It will be an opportunity for Charlie. He did bounce back well in the second half at Exeter,” said Hendon.

“He has been good in training, played in the reserve games and put in some good performances so we have no qualms about playing Charlie.

“Alex has been called up so that is what it is, we have tried to have a few conversations with his Federation to delay him going, but we have heard nothing back yet.”

Whether Orient have Cisak or Grainger in goal, they will be just as determined to register a win at Brisbane Road.

On Tuesday night they suffered a frustrating 2-1 loss to Carlisle United and Hendon admits the players are ready to respond.

He has watched Notts County with assistant Andy Hessenthaler and is prepared for what they will bring to east London on Saturday afternoon.

“It has been a horrible September and thank god we are at the end of it. We have got Notts County at home now on Saturday,” added Hendon.

“Myself and Andy went to watch them last week at Crawley so we know what we have got coming and it will be another tough game as they all are in this league.

“I keep talking about our performances and if we keep playing like we are we are going to win more games.

“Obviously the players are disappointed, we have lost our first game at Brisbane Road and nobody wants to lose home matches, but I just hope come Saturday the crowd get behind the team. We are at home and we are looking to bounce back.”