ORIENT may have to wait for at least another week for the chance to climb out of the League One drop zone, writes Trevor Davies. With last Saturday s game at home to Yeovil postponed because of a frozen pitch, the O s missed the opportunity to move out of

ORIENT may have to wait for at least another week for the chance to climb out of the League One drop zone, writes Trevor Davies.

With last Saturday's game at home to Yeovil postponed because of a frozen pitch, the O's missed the opportunity to move out of the bottom four.

Now, they are due to make the trip north to play fellow strugglers Oldham Athletic on Saturday, but it seems that the arctic blast will wipe out the fixture.

Oldham is one of the highest, and coldest, Football League grounds in the country, there is a covering of snow on the Boundary Park pitch while underneath it is frozen solid.

With the temperatures predicted to remain at freezing point for the rest of the week, Saturday's fixture list looks set to take another hammering.

The O's, who lost their last league game at home to Southend, have not played since Monday, December 28 and although it has stopped them climbing out of the drop zone, a lack of activity will help boss Geraint Williams.

Defender Charlie Daniels, who missed the derby duel against Southend with an ankle injury, is now back training and would be able to play at Oldham, if the game were to go ahead.

Meanwhile, skipper Stephen Purches and striker Ryan Jarvis, who both missed the Southend match through illness, are fit again and training.

Williams will also have Sean Thornton available as his suspension has now finished.

But the O's will be without Ben Chorley when they next play, as he is still awaiting to serve a one-game ban after picking up five bookings.

Oldham are currently just one point and two places above the O's and if Saturday's game was to take place, a victory would lift Williams' side out of the bottom four.

The delay also gives the manager time to try and strengthen his squad during the transfer window.

Winger Andros Townsend could be on his way back to Brisbane Road following a successful loan spell which finished at the end of December and the O's could be prepared to take a punt on French striker Jonathan Tehoue.

He has been training with the O's and played in the recent reserve team game against Crawley.

The 25-year-old has played top-flight football in France, Belgium and Turkey and was linked with a move to Huddersfield Town last season.

He could become the second Frenchman to join the club following the signing of youngster Cestor Mike.

The 17-year-old has signed a professional contract until the end of the current season.

Mike joined the club on a non-contract basis in August and has played 18 times for the reserves and youth team and was on the bench for the Southend game.