Dean has no bone to pick with Orient

Walsall boss Dean Smith today played down his first return to Leyton Orient and insisted there are no hard feelings.

The Saddlers chief was sacked by the O's in January 2009 when assistant manager to Martin Ling who was also axed.

He hasn't returned to Brisbane Road since joining the Saddlers as head of youth in July 2009 before taking the manager's job in January 2011.

And with the Saddlers above the drop zone on goal difference Smith is focused on points rather than personal goals.

He said: "I was very disappointed (to leave) because we'd done well. Myself and Martin got them promoted and we consolidated in the first year, did well the second year and in the third year we were just under drop line. We were disappointed at the time but that's football and you move on.

"It'll be the first time back since I left and I'm looking forward it. There are a lot of people I still speak to and Kevin Dearden (goalkeeping coach) and Kev Nugent (assistant manager) were there when I was so it'll be nice to see them.

"But it's just another game and we've got to go and win it. We've played them twice in my managerial career and won one and lost one. Hopefully we can go and win this time."

But midfielder Adam Chambers, who scored the Saddlers' winner in the 1-0 opening day victory over Orient in August, could miss a return to his former club with a cut Achilles.

The former Albion man made 156 appearances for the O's before last summer's switch to the Saddlers.

"Adam is 50-50, we were hoping to get the stitches out so he could train today," said Smith, who let former Orient striker Ryan Jarvis join Torquay on loan until the end of the season yesterday.

"It all depends on the healing process and if it hasn't healed quick enough then we'll have to leave the stitches in. If we can get them out we're hoping he'll be alright."