TAMIKA MKANDAWIRE and Sam Oji returned to training on Thursday, giving O's boss Martin Ling a much needed boost.

The centre half pair have been out for six and three weeks respectively with hernia and hamstring problems, but they are both expected to be included in the squad to travel to Port Vale.

It comes as a timely boost for Ling, who lost the services of Brian Saah to a hamstring injury in Monday's defeat to Cheltenham.

Saah is expected to be sidelined for three to four weeks, but Mkandawire and Oji will be able to fill that gap.

JJ Melligan, meanwhile, will serve the second of a three-match suspension at Port Vale on Saturday.

He will be available again for the April 12 trip to Oldham Athletic.