But Ryan might have a part to play with Revell and McGleish out

Orient striker Ryan Jarvis, who scored the last-gasp winner against Peterborough on Friday, admits he is not expecting to start in the vital clash against Carlisle United this afternoon.

Jarvis, who has made just three league starts all season, came off the bench and headed home a winner against promotion-chasing rivals Peterborough in the sixth minute of stoppage time, to keep Orient’s play-off dream alive.

The O’s are likely to be without injured strike duo Scott McGleish and Alex Revell at Brunton Park, but Jarvis admitted: “I’m not expecting to start, I’m not expecting anything. I’m just glad to be involved, but if I get called upon then I’m ready to do the job.”

The former Norwich City player, who has made 76 starts for the O’s added: “I only played 15 minutes against Peterborough. The other lads have worked their socks off all through the game and I’m pretty sure they would be disappointed if they didn’t start the next one.”

Jarvis remains philosophical about playing a peripheral role this season. “I’ve not played much, it’s been limited, but I think that’s due to Revs (Alex Revell), Scotty (Scott McGleish), John (Jonathan Tehoue) and Harry (Kane) as well. They have been playing out of their skins and they have deserved it.

“I have just waited my time and made an impact today, but I’m just pleased we got the three points, because the lads have been working their socks off, especially today in the heat.”

Jarvis insists that with just three games to go, Orient’s play-off push remains on track: “It’s definitely still on. This time of the season teams get twitchy, so hopefully we can keep picking up points and hopefully the other teams will slip up. You never know, we have just got to keep working hard.

“Everyone believes it. We have been through a sticky patch recently, but we have not stopped believing. The first goal is what we needed; we have not had a lot of luck for a while now. That has started our little push for the play-offs.”

Orient have scored several late goals this season and Jarvis believes that the team’s never-say-die attitude has been a key to their success.

“We have been like that all season. There is a strong belief in the team. We believe in each other,” he said.

Against Peterborough we dug in and we got our goal and we’ve conceded one, but we still dug in and you have got to give credit to the defenders as well, they blocked so many shots. It’s a team win not just an individual one.”

But, even so, Jarvis was delighted with his last-gasp winner. “It was a vital goal, we desperately needed the three points, because we hadn’t picked up a win for several games. It was a vital goal and glad that I scored,” he said.