International defender unlikely to face Orient

5:20pm Thursday 24th January 2008

HUNGARIAN centre half Gabor Gyepes is unlikely to complete his move to Northampton in time to face Orient tomorrow.

The international defender, who had been with Championship outfit Wolves before suffering with injury problems has been on trial with the Cobblers.

And after impressing in their reserve match on Monday, Gyepes has been locked in contract talks with manager Stuart Gray ever since.

But it is highly unlikely that he will have joined in time to face the O's.

"He's shown to me that he can still perform to a very high standard," Gray told the Northampton Evening Telegraph."Hopefully we can speak to him and get his stay extended here until the can speak to him and get his stay extended here until the end of the season.

"He's got 17 international caps and he's a quality player but it works both ways. We've given him the chance to put himself in the window and get in our team and earn himself a contract so it's working well for both parties."

Poul Hubertz, howver returns to the squad for Friday's game, and comes straight into the first team to replace Dean Bowditch, who has gone back to Ipswich.

Liam Dolman is also fit but might have to settle for a place on the bench. Skipper Chris Doig is still out, while former Orient trailist Adebayo Akinfenwa will be on the bench again as he battles back to fitness.