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Kristian O'Leary should make his Leyton Orient debut in the League One clash at Southend tonight.

Southend v Leyton Orient

The midfielder, pictured, joined the Os on a month-long loan from Swansea and proved his match fitness with a run-out for the reserves. Winger Andros Townsend will also be involved after extending his loan spell from Tottenham.

Goalkeeper Jamie Jones missed last weekend's 2-2 draw against Carlisle with a hip injury and will be checked over with Glenn Morris on standby to deputise again. Sean Thornton remains doubtful with the knee injury which has sidelined him recently but fellow midfielder Adam Chambers came through his comeback unscathed following a calf problem and should figure again.

Youngster Darryl Sydes also played for the reserves in midweek following an ankle injury.

Southend will be without midfielder Jean-Francois Christophe.

The Frenchman was sent off at Swindon last weekend after being shown two yellow cards, and although the referee contacted boss Steve Tilson to admit he had made a mistake, Christophe will serve a one-match ban.

Tilson is short of options as the Shrimpers go in search of their first League One win of the season after losing several players this week. John White and Matt Heath have returned to Colchester after their loan spells came to an end, while Alex Revell has joined Swindon on loan and Kevin Betsy has returned to Wycombe.

On-loan midfielder Lee Sawyer (knee) is an injury concern and Damien Scannell is expected to be on the bench once again despite scoring against Swindon, as he builds up his fitness following injury and illness. Francis Laurent (ankle) could be restored to the starting line-up.

Oldham v Hartlepool

Oldham forward Deane Smalley has been dealt a new injury blow ahead of the visit of Hartlepool.

Smalley, 20, has yet to feature this season due to a back problem and could now be missing for the next three months after being told he may need surgery to rectify a damaged disc. The news has come as another blow to Latics boss Dave Penney, who is already battling a long injury list which includes Rob Purdie and Joe Jacobsen.

Midfielder Purdie is recovering from a stomach injury and defender Jacobson is currently troubled by a hernia. However, Jon Worthington (ankle) and Kelvin Lomax (groin) are hoping to be passed fit to face Pools.

Keigan Parker and Andy Holdsworth, who have been struck down by the virus which has swept through the youth team, could also return.

James Brown is expected to start Hartlepool's clash at Boundary Park.

Striker Brown sustained a kick to his knee in Pools' 1-0 win at Gillingham and after missing the Carling Cup clash with Burnley, came on as a second-half substitute in last week's defeat to Norwich. However, he has trained all week and is likely to be named in director of sport Chris Turner's line-up.

Fellow forward Armann Bjornsson should be on the bench following his recent switch from SK Brann, where he could be joined by Ben Clark. Clark played an hour for the reserves in midweek following his recovery from hernia surgery and is set to be named among the substitutes once again.

Ritchie Humphreys (Achilles) has resumed light training but is not yet ready to be considered.

PA Sport