Charlie Lee will hope to make his first O’s appearance since the 3-1 win at AFC Fylde on November 3

Leyton Orient could welcome Charlie Lee back to their matchday squad for today’s FA Trophy clash with Beaconsfield Town.

The experienced midfielder has been absent for over a month with a knee injury picked up in the early exchanges of the 3-1 win at AFC Fylde on November 3.

Lee was expected to return quickly, but his recovery has taken longer than anticipated and it has given chances to Dale Gorman and also Alex Lawless, who appeared off the bench in the 1-0 loss away to Boreham Wood last weekend.

Although O’s remain top of the National League table, they have missed the leadership and calming presence of ex-Stevenage ace Lee.

Since returning from the anterior cruciate ligament damage he suffered to his knee back in August 2017, the former Peterborough United midfielder has struck up a superb bond with Craig Clay in the middle of the park.

The partnership is unlikely to be rekindled against the Rams, however, with boss Justin Edinburgh set to rest Clay this afternoon.

Lee will be back though, and the likes of Dan Happe, James Brophy and James Alabi can expect to feature in the first round tie.

Edinburgh also has a decision to make over who starts in goal. Dean Brill has been in the sticks for every game the O’s boss has taken charge of since his arrival over a year ago.

However, Sam Sargeant is back fit again now and could be handed an opportunity and if he is, he will make his first competitive appearance for the east Londoners since the 3-0 loss at Torquay United on November 25 2017.

Elsewhere, Orient will definitely be without James Dayton for the foreseeable future with the wide-man set for a spell on sidelines with a knee injury following surgery on Monday.