Swindon Town v Leyton Orient preview
10:50am Friday 7th September 2012 in Latest Sport By Simon Mail
Jamie Jones is rated doubtful for the O's trip to Swindon: Simon O'Connor
Russell Slade admits Jamie Jones and Lloyd James face an uphill battle to be fit for the O’s trip to Swindon Town this weekend.
Goalkeeper Jones was ruled out of the Crawley Town match with a shoulder problem, which is a concern after missing much of last season due to injury.
Summer signing James is also doubtful for the League One match after he twisted his ankle during last week’s defeat at Everton.
Orient manager Slade said: “[Jones and James] I think they've got a fight on, I have to say.
“Lloyd twisted his ankle so he could be another week or so and Jamie has got a shoulder injury, so they're unlikely to be back and obviously other players now are staking a claim.”
The O’s face a difficult trip to big-spending Swindon tomorrow where manager Paulo Di Canio has again been in the headlines.
The controversial Italian hauled off goalkeeper Wes Foderingham after 22 minutes of their 4-1 defeat at Preston North End on Sunday and threatened to axe him, but the pair have since cleared the air.
Orient have had a string of away games at the start of the campaign but Slade is simply focused on trying to help his side get off the mark with their first points in the league.
He said: “It’s tough [run of away games] but those are the cards we’ve been dealt and it doesn’t get any tougher this weekend at Swindon. But I don’t mind that because it’s a good game for us.
"They’ve gone and made another five signings so I don’t know which side they will put out. He could probably put a couple of sides out.
“But we have a little bit more time to prepare. We’ve had an open and frank conversation and all of the group are in agreement about where we need to work and what we need to do to turn things around.
“The group’s together and the spirit’s good. We just need that elusive first win.”
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