Dale Gorman is ‘very close’ to being involved in Leyton Orient’s match-day squad after the midfielder played over an hour during a game at the club’s training ground on Friday.

The midfielder, who joined Orient on a two-year deal in the summer from Stevenage, has spent most of pre-season recovering from the fractured ankle he sustained against Coventry City in April.

Gorman played 45 minutes for the O’s against Greenwich Borough in a friendly two weeks ago, but hasn’t been included in any of the match-day squads for the club’s opening National League fixtures as he builds up his fitness.

But that could soon be about to change according to head coach Justin Edinburgh, who confirmed after Saturday’s game against Barrow that Gorman is ‘very close’ to being involved.

Asked if Gorman was close to being involved in the squad, Edinburgh said: “Yeah very close now. He played a game yesterday (Friday) at the training ground and completed an hour, if not more. Matt Harrold took part in that as well. They are getting closer all the time.”

Orient were, however, dealt a blow late last week with the news that influential centre-back George Elokobi is set to be ruled out for a number of weeks due to the hamstring injury he sustained against Ebbsfleet United.

The 32-year-old was visibly upset as he limped off after just two minutes last Tuesday and it has since been confirmed that the defender has sustained a grade two tear to his hamstring.

That news will undoubtedly be a blow to Elokobi, who had worked so hard over the summer to ensure that he was in peak condition for the start of the National League season and the defender was keen to prove a point this campaign, after an injury hit first year in East London.

While clearly disappointed to lose someone of Elokobi’s experience, head coach Edinburgh feels the O’s have got an adequate replacement in Marvin Ekpiteta.

Edinburgh said: “It’s a big blow to lose anyone but he (Elokobi) is a big character and a big player for us. It’s frustrating but we have to accept that. The biggest disappointment is how early it came in the season because the boys have worked hard throughout the summer and pre-season.

“It’s a huge disappointment but we’ve got a really good squad of players. We’ve got strength in depth and you saw that today with Marvin’s performance.”