Ross Embleton said goalkeeper Dean Brill was taken off after suffering concussion rather than a recurrence of his previous back and shoulder injury against Cheltenham Town.

Brill, who missed all but one pre-season match with injury problems, lasted just 10 minutes before throwing the ball out and going down and was subsequently replaced by Sam Sargeant.

Minutes before, he had dived at the feet of Cheltenham striker Luke Varney and there were fears that he had conceded a penalty after their collision, but the referee awarded in Orient’s favour and booked Varney for simulation.

Speaking after the game, Embleton said: “I haven’t seen it but from what everyone who has seen it again has told me is that he kicked Dean in the head, which is why he’s come off with concussion.

“I suppose they’ll take it as he’s gone down after a touch from Dean, whether it be on his head or by his hands. We’ll claim that he’s kicked him in the head and we’ve lost our goalkeeper. I suppose you can look at it two different ways.”

Other absentees included Jobi McAnuff and Joe Widdowson, the former having had an operation at the end of the week, and Widdowson failed a late fitness test prior to the game.

Embleton said: “It was a frustrating one for Joe. He’d picked up a little niggle in the week when we were preparing for the game. He had a little aggravation around his groin. He came in on Thursday, saw the physios and felt good.

“He trained yesterday and was fine but at the end of it he just said something’s not right. He came out to do a fitness test because he wanted to be in the team and we wanted him to be in the team.

“The conversation I had with Joe was that there’s a long haul to go, we’ve got another 45 odd games to go and I want you in the team for as many as possible. I don’t want you to be out for a month and then you have to do your pre-season again, let’s think sensibly and give yourself a chance to be back soon.”