Forward is hoping to make his full league debut for the O’s at Sixfields tomorrow afternoon

East London Advertiser: Leyton Orient players celebrate a goal (pic: Simon O'Connor).Leyton Orient players celebrate a goal (pic: Simon O'Connor). (Image: Simon O'Connor Photography)

When Ollie Palmer scored against Northampton Town on March 15 for Mansfield Town back in 2014, his then manager proclaimed the youngster could be better than Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy.

The comparison was made because Palmer, like Vardy, had progressed from non-league into the professional game.

Vardy is far more experienced than the 23-year-old and currently establishing himself in Roy Hodgson’s England squad, but the Leyton Orient forward is confident about his own ability.

While he may not go around insisting he is better than Vardy, he would love nothing more than to start against the Cobblers tomorrow (Saturday) and find the net again at Sixfields.

“I played against Northampton last season and a couple of times with Mansfield,” said Palmer.

“Chris Wilder is the manager there. They are a good side and I know they are not top of the table at the moment, but I am sure come the end of the season they will be there or there abouts.

“It will be difficult and we are away from home, but if we can get back to winning ways that will be great.”

If Palmer does start at Sixfields, it will be his full league debut for the O’s having come off the bench in every previous fixture in League Two this year.

His impact in the 1-1 draw against Wycombe Wanderers last Saturday was positive and it should be enough to see him replace Paul McCallum tomorrow.

“I want to play games and want to get as many minutes as possible under my belt. Paul and Jay Simpson obviously did well at the start of the season, but the gaffer has been telling me that my opportunity will come,” added Palmer.

“He gave me 45 against Wycombe and hopefully I showed him what I can do. The fans gave my man of the match too, which means a lot to me and I see people are appreciating what I am trying to do.”

The Orient forward scored in a development match recently, playing 62 minutes in the training ground fixture against Luton Town.

He doesn’t mind being involved in those games to keep his fitness at a good level, but wants to be leading the line for Ian Hendon’s side.

“I have played in one or two reserves games to keep my match fitness up over the last couple of weeks and the gaffer was pleased with how I reacted to that,” revealed Palmer.

“You have ups and downs and playing against Wycombe is a completely different feeling compared to what I had against Luton in the development match. We have got to go again at Northampton away now and keep performing.”