Ling ready to sharpen up Orient with a bit of Steele

Martin Ling can't wait to see the back of December after watching his Leyton Orient side slip down the table in League Two.

But the return of top scorer Lee Steele against Kidderminster tomorrow means that the New Year should get off to the best possible start.

"Lee Steele is coming back into the squad, he isn't ready for a start but I am going to gamble with him on the bench," said the Orient manager, whose team have failed to win in the league since late November.

"His return will be a big mental lift for everybody, including the supporters."

The 31-year-old striker has not played since injuring his knee against Wycombe six weeks ago. Fellow striker Gary Alexander is still out with an ankle injury and Jabo Ibehre (knee),Wayne Carlisle (ankle), Tom Peters (toe) and Gabriel Zakuani (knee) are also still sidelined.