L Orient v Hartlepool preview
Last Updated: August 24, 2012 2:48pm
Lisbie: Hopes to play for hosts
Team news for Saturday's League One clash between Leyton Orient and Hartlepool United at the Matchroom Stadium.
Leyton Orient will check on striker Kevin Lisbie ahead of this fixture.
Lisbie was forced to miss Tuesday night's 1-0 defeat by Stevenage with a tight hamstring but boss Russell Slade is hopeful he will be fit.
But defender Scott Cuthbert will be missing again with the hamstring injury he suffered at Tranmere on Saturday so Ben Chorley is set to keep his place at the back.
Midfielder Moses Odubajo and on-loan Stoke striker Ryan Brunt are pushing to start their first matches of the season should Slade opt to make changes following another slow start to the campaign.
The O's are still without a point in League One after slipping to defeats in their opening two matches.
Meanwhile, Hartlepool defender Neil Austin faces a late fitness test ahead of his side's clash this weekend.
Austin, who missed the midweek defeat at Notts County, is in a race to shake off a calf injury.
Teenager Jack Baldwin slotted into the back four on Tuesday night for his first start of the season and is expected to continue if Austin fails to make it.
Central defender Peter Hartley overcame a knock to play the full 90 minutes against Notts County and is likely to resume his partnership with Sam Collins.
Teenage striker Luke James is pushing for his first league start of the season, with manager Neale Cooper to decide whether to retain James Poole up front alongside Steve Howard.
Cooper, who has no other new injury or suspension worries, has confirmed midfielder Paul Murray, who impressed in midweek after replacing Poole at half-time, will be handed a starting role at the weekend.
Matches
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npower League 1
Table
npower League 1
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Doncaster Rovers | 46 | 84 |
| 2 | Bournemouth | 46 | 83 |
| 3 | Brentford | 46 | 79 |
| 4 | Yeovil Town | 46 | 77 |
| 5 | Sheffield United | 46 | 75 |
| 6 | Swindon Town | 46 | 74 |
| 7 | Leyton Orient | 46 | 71 |
| 8 | Milton Keynes Dons | 46 | 70 |
| 9 | Walsall | 46 | 68 |
| 10 | Crawley Town | 46 | 68 |
| 11 | Tranmere Rovers | 46 | 67 |
| 12 | Notts County | 46 | 65 |
| 13 | Crewe Alexandra | 46 | 64 |
| 14 | Preston North End | 46 | 59 |
| 15 | Coventry City | 46 | 55 |
| 16 | Shrewsbury Town | 46 | 55 |
| 17 | Carlisle United | 46 | 55 |
| 18 | Stevenage | 46 | 54 |
| 19 | Oldham Athletic | 46 | 51 |
| 20 | Colchester United | 46 | 51 |
| 21 | Scunthorpe United | 46 | 48 |
| 22 | Bury | 46 | 41 |
| 23 | Hartlepool United | 46 | 41 |
| 24 | Portsmouth | 46 | 32 |
