THE YEOVIL Town game on Saturday is the first in a string of taxing fixtures for Orient, according to Russell Slade.

The O’s boss predicts his old side shall be hard to break down at their Huish Park home, tomorrow.

“It’s a tough game away from home, as they proved last year,” he said.

“They have two experienced centre-halves and they want to play as well.

“I think Yeovil Town are searching for their best team, like most of us. We’ll see if they make any changes.

"Obviously, when you go back to your old club you want to do well and I'm no different from anyone else," said Slade.

"The last time I went there, I got a standing ovation but that's gone now. But there's no reason for any animosity."

Last season, Orient had to settle for a point from a 3-3 draw in Somerset.

Next week, the action ratchets up another notch after that game, with clashes against three sides all expected to be in the hunt for promotion.

But Slade said he relishes the challenge posed by Swindon Town, Charlton Athletic and Southampton in consecutive matches.

“That will test the depth of the squad immediately,” he admitted.

“But we’re looking forward to it. We’ve had a good pre-season and we feel as if we’re almost ready."