MARTIN LING knows his injury-ravaged side are in for a tough test when they visit Championship club Queens Park Rangers in the first round of the Carling Cup on Tuesday night.

The O's boss has six players definitely missing with injury, while a further two face late fitness tests, but he is still hopeful of pulling off a cup upset.

He said: "We got a positive result from a very difficult game at Southend on Saturday, so we're looking forward to testing ourselves against Queens Park Rangers tonight.

"They're a Championship club with good traditions, and it will be a difficult game for us but we'll go there with confidence.

"We've got 21 pros at the club and eight of them didn't train on Monday. Six [Clayton Fortune, Jabo Ibehre, Michael Simpson, Alton Thelwell, Brian Saah and Sean Thornton] of them definitely won't play and two of them will have fitness tests.

"It will be a bit of a makeshift side, but I'm hoping that the two who will face fitness tests - Purches and Mkandawire - will come through to take us up to 15 pros.

"It's disappointing to have so many out, but none of the injuries are serious."

Ling is expecting his counterpart John Gregory to field his strongest available side, but having done his homework on Rangers' 2-2 draw with Bristol City on Saturday, he is confident of his side's ability to hold their own,

"I think they'll probably put out their strongest side," he continued. "I had Paul Bodin watch their match at Bristol City on Saturday and he said they were just about the better side on the day.

"Their front two - Blackstock and Nardiello - were a real threat and Rowlands on the left was the best player on the park.

"It's going to be a real test for us as they are a decent Championship side, but at least we know all about them having watched them on Saturday.

"It's always important to back up one good performance with another. We know our bread and butter is the league, but a good cup run never hurts.

"We know that from our FA Cup run two seasons ago. They are money spinners and we will put our best foot forward whatever side we put out there."