The National League have confirmed they will run with 23 instead of 24 if Leyton Orient are not in a position to kick-off their League campaign.

Due to FA regulations, it means that the constitution of divisions cannot be changed following annual general meetings.

But the O's future remains in murky water as at present no pre-season friendlies have been organised, season-tickets are not on sale, there is no kit or training ground and 12 players remain on the books.

Despite their initial winding-up petition being dismissed at court earlier this week, it is believed there are still creditors outstanding.

The E10 club were accepted into the League during the governing body's AGM last Saturday.

A playing budget needs to be demonstrated to the league on July 1 before the fixtures are announced on Wednesday, July 5 at 1pm.

York City were also hopeful of a reprieve into the league but that has quashed.  

National League spokesman Colin Peake told the York Press: "Leyton Orient were present at the AGM and were accepted into the National League and are part of the constitution.

"We now except them to carry on in accordance with the rules and regulations of the National League and we've not heard anything else to suggest the contrary.

"They have complied with everything and the next step will be approving their pre-season budget by the end of June.

"Nothing can happen now to the division and, even if they dropped out of the league tomorrow, we would run one club short, because the constitution can't be changed after the AGM.

"That's an FA regulation. You can only transfer clubs from divisions before an AGM so, in regards to York City, they will definitely be in National League North for 2017/18."

It would also be expected only three sides would be relegated if the O's were not playing in the league next season.