Orient are set to welcome one of the division’s big guns tomorrow when Russell Slade’s side put their four-game unbeaten run on the line against Sheffield United.

The Blades suffered relegation from the Championship last season and are fancied to make an immediate return this year.

United currently sit in the League One playoffs, occupying fifth spot after Wednesday night’s 4-2 win at Preston North End.

Managed by former Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Wilson, the Steel City giants started the season in promising form but have since stuttered somewhat.

An unbeaten run which included five wins in their opening seven league fixtures was exactly the form supporters would have demanded in their quest for promotion, but three defeats and only one victory in their last five prior to Wednesday’s success has seen the pace slowed.

Couple this with Orient’s renewed belief and positive performances, and this could be the perfect time for the O’s to take on one of the “bigger boys”. Indeed Slade’s men have already shown they can mix it with the division’s heavyweights after fighting back to draw with Huddersfield Town and claiming their first three points of the season when Dean Cox’s double strike saw off Preston.

This will be the first time the two sides have clashed in league action since the 1983/84 season. That campaign saw the points shared, with both claiming home wins.

There has been one meeting since then however, when the O’s welcomed Saturday’s opponents to Brisbane Road in an FA Cup third round clash in 2009.

JJ Melligan gave Orient a half time lead that day as the hosts went in search of a cup shock but it was not to be as United found four goals in the second period to advance to the next round.

Russell Slade has seen his side blighted by injuries so far this campaign but the situation continues to improve on that front.

The O’s welcomed George Porter back against Bury and skipper Stephen Dawson believes there could be more competition for places soon as other faces begin to return to action.

Dawson said: “We are getting there on the injury front and everyone is pulling together now.

“Bar Jamie Jones and Jonathan Téhoué I think everyone should be back so it is really pleasing.”