Leyton Orient assistant coach Ross Embleton is hopeful Dan Holman will be able to return to the O’s match day squad for Saturday’s game against league leaders Macclesfield Town.

The on-loan Cheltenham Town striker missed the match against Barrow at the weekend due to severe bruising on his foot following a tackle against Guiseley.

David Mooney replaced Holman in the starting line-up at Brisbane Road on Saturday and Embleton confirmed the extent of the striker’s injury after the final whistle.

He said: “It was one where we looked back at the footage of the tackle and it didn’t look like a great deal. But it was contact on the bone. He’s had a scan and it’s come up that it’s not actually fractured or broken but it’s quite severe bruising. When you are constantly in contact with the floor and having to strike the ball it’s a difficult one.

“It’s a case of wait and see how he is after the weekend and see how the injury recovers.”

The O’s were boosted in the week with the news that captain Charlie Lee has returned to full-training, having been ruled out since August due to a serious knee injury suffered in training.

Lee was originally expected to miss the rest of the campaign and Embleton is delighted to have the former Gillingham midfielder back in training.

He said: “Charlie is a big personality in the group and his personality is something we’ve missed earlier on in the season. It’s obviously well documented the injury he’s had but it’s a sign of Charlie’s character that he’s already back and in amongst the group before the season is over.

“I think there would be a possibility that Charlie will be capable of playing a game or feature in a game before the end of the season. However, what everyone has to weigh up in their minds is whether it’s vitally important that Charlie Lee plays a game between now and the end of the season.

“He’ll say it is because of how hard he’s worked to get back, but then at the same time, he’s now got another three months or so to come back and be on a level physically with the rest of the boys.”

In more good news for the O’s, Alex Lawless’ injury recovery continues to progress.

The midfielder, who arrived at Brisbane Road from Yeovil Town in the summer, hasn’t featured in the O’s match-day squad since the 1-0 defeat to Dover Athletic last month, but Embleton confirmed that the 33-year-old could return to full training later this week.

Embleton said: “He’s really upped what he’s been doing with the fitness staff. He had a little something which I think everybody thought wasn’t going to keep him out for a long time. But he got to a level in his recovery and nosedived. It’s just been something that has been niggling away at him.

“I would like to think by the end of this week he’ll be back training with the group, but obviously, that doesn’t mean that he’s anywhere near physically fit enough to come and play yet.”