Leyton Orient are set to be without four strikers for this weekend’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy area semi-final clash with Gillingham.

Jay Simpson has been out for two weeks with a hamstring problem and is a doubt whilst Kevin Lisbie is a long-term absentee after he suffered a broken shoulder in August.

Chris Dagnall is suspended for the next three games after he was sent off in Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at Bradford City.

Darius Henderson, who has made 16 appearances for the O’s this season since arriving from Nottingham Forest in the summer, has not featured for Orient since getting sent off against Port Vale on October 25 due to a foot injury.

When asked about the 32-year-old’s injury at the weekend, Orient boss Mauro Milanese said: “He has needed a few weeks because he has a fracture on his foot. He doesn’t have a job in an office, he needs to be steady on his feet.

“So it is difficult for him and it will take a few weeks.”

With the quartet absent, it leaves David Mooney, Gianvito Plasmati and Shaun Batt as the O’s only available strikers but Milanese is not worried.

“The lads who have come into the team when we have had injuries this season have been excellent,” he said.

“Dagnall, Plasmati and Mooney are all scoring goals so we can miss players for one or two games. Long-term injuries means we suffer a little bit more though.

“I can’t complain because the other lads are scoring and doing their best for the side.”

Marvin Bartley, Lloyd James and Shane Lowry are also all doubts for Saturday’s cup tie but Mooney is closing in on a return to the starting XI.

He has yet to start for the O’s since recovering from an ankle injury last month but has scored in back-to-back matches as a substitute.

Milanese was asked if the Irish striker will be restored to the starting XI against the Gills and the Orient boss replied: “I think he is ready to start but we have seven strikers here at the club and they can not all start at the same time though.

“So I will need to make some decisions. Dagnall has scored two goals in the last few matches, Plasmati the same and also Mooney.

“I will see how everyone works during the week and then I will decide who will start in the game against Gillingham.”

The Gills booked their place in the semi-final by clinching a win over Crawley Town whilst Orient defeated Northampton Town to seal their spot in the southern area last four in the competition.

When the two sides met each other in league action last month, ten-man Gillingham recorded a 3-2 win at Priestfield.