ORIENT striker Wayne Gray could miss the start of next season after suffering a knee injury in the O's 3-1 win over Bristol Rovers on Saturday.
The 27-year-old forward scored his tenth goal of the campaign in the club's last game of the season, but he hobbled out of Brisbane Road on crutches, and manager Martin Ling fears a lengthy lay-off for the former Yeovil Town.
"It looks as if it could be a medial ligament injury but there's a possibility it could be a cruciate ligament injury as well, and that would be an absolute nightmare for us," said Ling. "There is some damage in the knee, although we don't know how much at the moment.
"If it is a serious cruciate injury then it could mean he faces up to nine months out."
Orient's lack in squad depth proved decisive towards the end of the season. After finding themselves challenging for a play-off spot for much of the campaign they finished the season in 14th place, and a long-term injury to Gray would leave the east Londoners light up front.
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