Leyton Orient defender George Elokobi says the club will need all of their players available for the “big push” towards the end of the season as they aim to secure a return to the Football League.

Head coach Justin Edinburgh made a number of changes for Orient’s 1-0 away win against Wrexham in the second round of the FA Trophy, and Elokobi was happy for himself and other members of the squad to get vital playing time.

He told the club website: “Make no mistake about it, we needed minutes. Some of us got minutes on Tuesday against a good AFC Wimbledon team in preparation for this game today and thankfully the gaffer is giving some of us minutes to make sure we are up to speed because everyone is going to be needed from now until the end of the season.”

Elokobi expressed his delight at two players who have been struggling for game time, James Brophy and Matt Harrold, playing vital parts in the goal, a penalty won by Brophy which was converted by his teammate.

He said: “We know the qualities Brophy has got and in the first half we didn’t get him into the game as much as we wanted to.

“All credit to how Wrexham set up but we were patient, we knew opportunities would arise in the second half when people do get tired and are not concentrating as much as they did in the first half and that’s the moment where we need to feed Brophy as much as we can so he can use his speed and skills.”

On Harrold, Elokobi said: “I’m so chuffed for him because we have all been chomping for minutes and for him to get a goal today, created by Brophy, I’m really excited for them both.

“(Josh) Koroma and Macaulay Bonne have been on fire this season, so has everyone that’s been playing and it’s on us to try and push them to make sure they keep performing at the level they’re been performing because, as a squad, you can never take chances.

“I thought Matt Harrold and James Alabi were immense for us today up front and they both complement each other really well, they understand each other and the goal came from them.”

The impessive performances from the fringe players could give Edinburgh some selection issues ahead of the O’s’ trip to Ebbsfleet United tomorrow as they look to maintain their lead at the top of the National League.