Russell Slade is hoping to sign a young midfielder on loan from a Premier League club this week.

The O’s boss wants to bring in temporary cover with Dean Cox and Lloyd James both out injured and is close to agreeing a short-term loan deal.

Cox has a medial knee ligament injury, which could keep him out for another ten days, while James suffered a thigh injury in last week’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy win at Peterborough United which is likely to sideline him for a few weeks.

Gary Sawyer also has tendonitis which will keep him out of this weekend’s home game against Colchester United.