TAMIKA MKANDAWIRE was delighted to return to training on Thursday morning following a six-week injury lay-off.

The 24-year-old defender has missed Orient's last eight matches after going under the knife to correct a hernia problem and he can't wait to get back on the pitch.

"Training went quite well today," he said. "There was a little bit of soreness, but that's to be expected on your first day back.

"I've been doing quite a bit of running, which has been okay, and we felt that today was the time to step up and test it properly. I think I've come through it quite well.

"I don't think any professional likes to watch - we'd all much rather be out there on the pitch - so it was frustrating to be out with the injury.

"Maybe it's good timing to be coming back now because Saahsy came off on Monday and we've had a few injuries in this position. Hopefully I'll be able to get straight back in on Saturday."

Following a miserable Easter weekend, Mkandawire is determined to help Orient bounce back against Port Vale - but he has warned that it won't be an easy game, despite the Valians' lowly league position.

He said: "We went into last weekend with two wins under our belts, so it would have been nice to have got at least three points from Easter.

"But it didn't work out that way and we need to bounce back at Port Vale because we're still in with an outside shot of the play-offs.

"If we are to give ourselves a chance, we probably need to win five out of our last six matches. It might seem like a big ask, but we did that at the start of the season and we can do it again if we play to the best of our ability.

"Port Vale aren't doing very well, but it will not be an easy game just because they are bottom of the table.

"It's a tough place to go to and we'll have to work hard to get a result."