ORIENT boss Martin Ling will once again see his squad stretched to the full for tonight's Johnstone's Paint Trophy clash at Brighton.

The O's are without eight first team regulars for the trip to the Withdean and Ling has even had to draft in second year scholar Harry Baker into his squad.

JJ Melligan (virus) and Loick Pires have become the latest names to be ruled out of action.

They join loanees Dean Morgan and Jack Jeffrey (knee) on the sidelines, while Alton Thelwell is unable to feature because of persistent knee problems.

Also still missing are long-term casualties Wayne Gray (knee), Danny Granville and Tamika Mkandawire (both groin).