Boss Slade to look at Jenkins, Gorman and Bowerman

Leyton Orient boss Russell Slade will use his team’s pre-season friendly against an Arsenal XI tonight to run the rule over a number of potential new recruits.

The O’s boss admits he needs to bolster his “thin” squad ahead of the new League One campaign, which commences with a trip to Carlisle on Saturday.

And he is likely to use this side’s final warm-up game at the Matchroom Stadium to take a look at Ross Jenkins, John Gorman and George Bowerman.

Jenkins would appear to be surplus to requirements at Watford and the 22-year-old will be given another chance to impress after being given a 67-minute run-out as a young side lost 2-1 at St Albans last Friday.

The midfielder has made 95 appearances for the Hornets and had brief loan spells at Plymouth and Barnet last season.

Gorman, 20, is a Northern Irish midfielder who began his career at Wolves before signing for Plymouth and having loan periods at Macclesfield and Cambridge United.

Bowerman, meanwhile, has made 59 appearances for Walsall, who are managed by former Orient defender and assistant boss Dean Smith.

The 21-year-old is currently a free agent after being released by the Saddlers at the end of last season.

Defender Ben Sampayo, who came through the ranks at Brighton, has also been on trial and could possibly figure against Arsenal.

And Slade admits he does need to add to his squad, which is high in quality in certain areas but low on numbers overall.

He said: “I think we’ve a good group but it is a little bit thin.

“We certainly need two more players – a senior midfielder is a priority while I’d also like another striker.”