The situation hasn’t changed between Leyton Orient and Russell Slade, with tomorrow’s game still potentially being his last in charge of the O’s.

It was revealed after Saturday’s 2-0 home loss to 10-men Colchester United via sporting director Mauro Milanese that Slade had one game to save his job, and having had talks with the president Francesco Becchetti and Milanese over the weekend, that remains the case.

But the Brisbane Road chief is fully focused on making sure his side are fully prepared for tonight’s clash against the Magpies.

“It’s exactly the same (as the weekend), it’s been clarified and we know where we stand, that’s the important thing,” said Slade.

“Obviously our focus is massively on the game on Tuesday night. There are certain things you cannot control, nobody can control everything, but what you can do is control what you are responsible for.

“You can control how you respond and that’s what we are looking for, a good positive response from all of us to show our class, determination and all that experience we have had through time either playing or managing and hopefully it’ll be enough to see us through on Tuesday.”

The defeat to Colchester was only their second loss of the season. But importantly for Slade, both those defeats have come at home and with owner Francesco Becchetti in attendance.

And that’s bad news if you believe reports that the Italian is set to make the journey to Meadow Lane tonight.

“In all fairness to the group of players that’s the first defeat we have had in eight, it just so happens that it’s come at home again and it’s come in the league, but it’s league points that are the priority,” he added.

Notts County are a side close to Slade’s hearts, having started his managerial career at the club, while also having close friendships with boss Shaun Derry and his assistant Greg Abbott.

But they will be put to one side tonight as the O’s boss goes in search of a vital three points.

“There’s no easy games in League One. Notts County are an improved side from last season, there is no doubt about that,” he said.

“I’m sure they will be looking to push on themselves now. I signed Shaun when he was 14 and I know his assistant Greg Abbott very well and of course it was a football club that I was at for a total of 11 years in one capacity or another.

“It’s a big game for both teams and both sets of players, fans and management teams, but that’s what it should be, competitive.”