Lee Cook looks set to return to the Orient squad tonight Pic: Simon O'Connor

Cook is set to return for Colchester clash

Orient manager Russell Slade is looking for his side to bounce back tonight against Colchester United.

The O’s dropped out of the top 12 at the weekend when they lost 2-0 at Oldham and Slade said: “We have got to show some bounce back ability.”

After a poor start to the season that saw Orient fail to take a point from their first three games, they staged a minor recovery and have broken into the top half of the table twice following wins against Walsall and Hartlepool.

However, a lack of consistency means they have been unable to stay there.

“We are finding it a little bit frustrating at the moment,” admitted the Orient boss.

“Until we can find that consistency all we can do is show a reaction in games.

“But we need to get into the top half of the table and then try and stay there.

“You need to cement a place in the top half for a while and then if you can find that consistency and string a few results together you will be looking to knock on the door.”

O’s will want to make home advantage count against Colchester United tonight and fast-improving Coventry at the weekend as the O’s chief looks to cash in on back-to-back home games: “Wherever we are we want to win football matches, but any club will always feel they have an advantage at home,” he said,

If O’s are to reach and then maintain a top-12 place Slade knows he needs to keep most of his players fit and Lee Cook, who missed the weekend defeat at Oldham, has shaken off a virus and stands by for a return tonight.

Slade was also boosted by the return of goalkeeper Jamie Jones last weekend, who was a surprise addition to the bench following a shoulder injury.

“Although Jamie has only just returned to training he is fully fit,” said Slade.

“It was nice to see him on the bench at Oldham.”

The O’s boss could also have some interesting selection problem at the heart of the defence.

Skipper Nathan Clarke and Ben Chorley have been the stand-out performers in recent weeks.

But Scott Cuthbert, missing since the first league game of the season with a hamstring injury, is on his way back to fitness.

“Scott is getting ever closer to a return and we are expecting him to resume light training next week,” said Slade.

While Kevin Lisbie, who has been sidelined with a hamstring injury, is also making good progress.

“He’s about two weeks away now,” confirmed the Orient chief.