League One preview: Leyton Orient v Swindon Town

Leyton Orient caretaker boss Kevin Nugent feels having a midweek break has been a massive boost as he prepares the O’s for tomorrow’s home game against Swindon Town.

As a result of their extended run in the League Cup, it has been only the second midweek where the Brisbane Road side have not had a fixture.

And with all the goings on at Orient over the past few weeks, Nugent was pleased to have an uninterrupted spell on the training ground with the players.

“It’s been great to have the midweek off as it has enabled us to work on a few things,” said Nugent.

“It’s been a hectic start but it’s starting to settle down now and it has been a good solid week for the group on the training ground.

“They have responded really well to what we have asked of them and hopefully we can turn that into three points on Saturday.”

Swindon come to E10 sitting in third place in the table after a fine start to the season for Mark Cooper’s side.

But the O’s have a good recent record against the Robins, having not lost in eight games to the County Ground outfit.

And while Nugent would love to extend that record this weekend, he knows Cooper has his Swindon side playing well.

“They are obviously a very good side and you aren’t third in the league for nothing,” he added.

“They have started very well and under Mark they are playing some good football so we have to be well prepared.”

Orient will be without midfielder Lloyd James after the Welshman suffered a broken leg in the 3-2 home defeat to 10-man Rochdale.

James went under the knife this week and the operation was a success, but Nugent feels his loss is a massive blow to the O’s.

“It’s a real disappointment to be missing Lloyd,” said the caretaker boss. “He’d only just come back from another injury and to lose a player of his ability is never nice.

“But he’s had his operation now and it all went well so let’s hope his recovery goes to plan. There is a rough timetable for his return at the moment but it is still very early days.”

Gary Woods will remain in goal for the O’s with Adam Legzdins still out with a finger injury. Kevin Lisbie remains on the sidelines with a shoulder injury, while it’s still too soon for Gary Sawyer (tendonitis).

Swindon Town will be without striker Jonathan Obika with a shoulder injury, while Ben Gladwin and Raphael Branco are also ruled out.