Morris believes O's can motor up table

ORIENT go into Saturday's derby battle with Brentford just two points off the League One drop zone, but goalkeeper Glenn Morris is convinced the O's are capable of making their mark at the other end of the table, WRITES TREVOR DAVIES.

A win at the weekend would lift Orient above their London neighbours and despite Saturday's defeat at the hands of Colchester, Morris insisted: "We have definitely turned the corner, a win against Colchester would have taken us half-way up the table.

"There's no reason why we can't get into the top 10 and then look to push on from there and see if we could make the play-offs," said Morris.

The O's goalkeeper concedes that it's difficult to live with the likes of Leeds and Charlton, and some of the other high-profile sides, who have money to spend.

"There are some big clubs who get big gates and have big budgets," said Morris.

"And looking at Colchester, they are seven games unbeaten now and they will definitely be up there too.

"But take away the top few sides and the league is much of a muchness," added the keeper, who believes that the O's can be up there with the best of the rest.

Saturday's clash with be the third time this season Orient have entertained London rivals, and after being pipped by Charlton, they recently overcame Millwall, to register their first League win of the campaign at Brisbane Road.

Saturday's match marks the return of former O's winger Andy Scott to the club, who is now in charge at Griffin Park, and guided the Bees to the title last season.

But after making an impressive start, Brentford have won just one of their last 10 games in all competitions, and Morris is certain the O's can put more daylight between themselves and the drop zone at the weekend.

"We don't want to be looking over our shoulders all the time and although we lost to Colchester our home form has been better recently," said Morris, as Saturday's defeat was their first reverse in five games at Brisbane Road.

O's boss Geraint Williams will certainly have a few selection posers ahead of the game, as midfield pair Jason Demetriou and JJ Melligan are both available following suspensions.

Skipper Stephen Purches, could also come into contention following an operation on his fractured cheekbone.

Although he was on the bench at the weekend Purches admitted he was unlikely to have played a part in the game. "It's still early days trying to get used to the mask," explained the skipper, who only returned to full-time training last Thursday.

But boss Williams was hoping that Adam Chambers would be fit enough to resume training this week following a calf injury and Sean Thornton has resumed light training after a cartilage operation and is about two weeks away from a return.

Another poser for Williams, is who will play in goal as, for the second time this season, Morris replaced Jamie Jones during a game.

Jones suffered a hip injury against Stoke in the Carling Cup and Morris came on as a substitute and kept his place for the next three league games.

Now Morris could retain his place again, after Jones was knocked unconscious during the second minute of Saturday's game with Colchester.

The young keeper remained in hospital on Saturday night and although he was released the following day, it's unlikely that he will train this week. Morris made one superb second half save low to his left, but added: "I didn't have a great deal to do, Colchester had a lot of set plays, but we knew that before the game and it was all stop start in the second half.

"All I can do when I get on is my best and see what happens," he added.

Morris would love to keep his place at the weekend. As Orient's longest-serving player, he's the only survivor to have been a team-mate of Brentford boss Scott.

"It will be good to see him again on Saturday and I'm sure there will be another cracking atmosphere here," said Morris, as the O's look forward to another good gate, having entertained Millwall, Colchester and Brentford in successive games in League One.