“Nothing really” was the calm response of Leyton Orient head coach Steve Davis when quizzed about what, if anything, we should read from the continued omission of striker Tristan Abrahams from the squad for the 3-1 win over Solihull Moors. It was the second straight game Abrahams has missed out on a place in the match day 16.

The O’s boss has preferred to go down the versatility route when naming his substitutes so far this season by picking players who can play in more than one position, and hinted that was the deciding factor in his selection.

He said: “Tristan’s a big part of the squad. Like I’ve said before he’s very close to Josh Koroma, I don’t think there’s a lot between the two from what I’ve seen in training – they’re both good players.

“Josh gives us more options because he can play on either wing and up front as well, so when you’ve got five subs you have to think about all the permutations and things that might happen in the game. I think he [Koroma] offers us a little bit more in terms of that than Tristan at the moment.”

But despite those glaring omissions and the decision to opt for continuity, Davis is acutely aware of the importance of strength in depth and pointed to the number of games the O’s have to play in August alone as evidence of the need for rotation.

Orient face a testing run of five games between now and 28 August which will provide ample opportunities for the O’s boss to change things should he see fit, or if he is forced into alterations.

Nonetheless, Davis envisages Abrahams as playing a big role for the club this season, and sees the on-loan Norwich City attacker as an out-and-out number nine.

“Tristan’s really a number nine, and he’s a good number nine don’t get me wrong, but they’ll get their opportunities – Tristan knows that,” Davis said. “This team isn’t going to start every game and when he gets his opportunities it’s up to him [to take them].”

On the evidence of Tuesday night, Abrahams may be forced to wait a little longer for his National League introduction following inspired performances by strike partners Macauley Bonne and David Mooney – who set up and scored one respectively.

Bonne’s all-round performance certainly merited a goal and Davis did allude to the fact he believes the 21-year-old has much still to offer as he re-acclimatises to life back in the National League.

“I thought his best chance came in the first half when the ‘keeper was off his line and he tried to lob it in. Those are the goals he has got to take, and he knows that. But if he keeps getting into those positions he’ll score more times than he misses. He was exemplary of the work rate the team showed.”

Certainly having that competition at the top end of the team is healthy – the sort of individual battles within the side that should help to drive up standards both on and off the pitch.

The O’s though will have to assess minor knocks handed out to a couple of unnamed players during the Solihull win, as Davis readies his squad for the Maidstone examination on Saturday