Ross Embleton is hopeful that in-form Josh Koroma will be fit enough to feature for Leyton Orient in their National League opener against Salford City on Saturday.

The 19-year-old has been in excellent form for the O’s during pre-season, notching seven times in five games, including a four goal haul against Harlow Town.

But the versatile youngster missed last weekend’s final friendly against Southend United as a precaution due to a slight groin issue, with Orient fighting back twice to earn a 2-2 draw with the Shrimpers.

However, assistant coach Embleton eased concerns over the academy graduate’s fitness and is hopeful that Koroma will be able to feature against Salford at the Peninsula Stadium on Saturday.

Asked about whether Koroma could feature in the National League opener, Embleton said: “I would like to think so. With Josh, he’s a young lad and it’s been a brutal pre-season at times with the physical requirements that the boys have been asked to go through.

“He was just feeling a certain injury at the back end of last week and it just made sense. He’s played a lot of minutes during pre-season and he was on the right track in terms of being able to not miss out if he wasn’t to play at the weekend.

"We wanted to make sure we took care of him on that front. I’d like to think that he’ll be ready for the weekend.”

Meanwhile, new signing Dale Gorman stepped up his recovery by playing 45 minutes against Greenwich Borough last night.

Gorman’s season with Stevenage was brought to an abrupt end in April when the Northern Irishman was stretchered off against Coventry City with a fractured ankle.

Prior to last night, the 22-year-old hadn’t played a role in any of Orient’s friendlies, but the midfielder has been working hard at the club’s training ground during pre-season.

Both Gorman and Matt Harrold are unlikely to feature for the O’s this weekend against Salford but Embleton confirmed that the duo are closing in on a return to full-fitness.

Embleton said: “Matt Harrold is more and more involved in training at the moment. He’s back amongst the group and easing his way back into it and trying to get up to the level so that he’s able to compete for places in the team.

“Dale’s missed most of pre-season so we need to get him physically ready and capable to be among the group on a regular basis and then physically capable so that he’s ready to push for a starting place. Josh is a bit different to the other two, but Dale and Matt are stepping closer to the group.”