GARY Smith says his Stevenage players cannot wait to take to the field against Leyton Orient on Saturday after three weeks without a competitive match.

Postponements due to the poor weather, and scheduled opponents Brentford in FA Cup action, has seen Boro without a game since the 2-1 home defeat to Doncaster Rovers on January 12.

Since that the transfer deadline has also passed with Smith signing defender Ben Chorley, who was the captain of Saturday’s opponents Orient.

Ahead of the match, in which Chorley could play, Smith said: “The guys are at that point now where they are climbing the walls, they are desperate for a game.”

Stevenage did enjoy a 3-1 success over a QPR XI in a behind closed doors friendly at the Lamex Stadium on Tuesday with James Dunne, Sam Hoskins and Steve Beleck netting, but the players are ready to strut their stuff in front of their fans tomorrow.

“They are all looking forward to the weekend,” said Smith.

“If you look at what we’re running into, the games we have, and of course how the games have unfolded since we have been inactive, and you look at the league table and there’s still so much to be, not just grateful for, but to be achieved and the players realise that.

“We’ve got an Orient side that, while we’ve not played, are now three games in front of us and level on points, it’s a big game at the weekend at home.”

Saturday’s clash is followed by another home game on Tuesday night as Notts County visit Hertfordshire.

“We’re still trying to find some kind of platform on our home field and, I know it’s a cliche, but there’s no better time than the weekend [to get a win] with a game quickly coming up behind it against a Notts County side who again are in our sights and fighting for exactly the same things that we are.

“[We have] two real good games in a short space of time and a fabulous opportunity to give ourselves a real kickstart.

“I saw Leyton Orient against Notts County last weekend [Orient won 2-1], they’re two real decent sides, they have got aspirations themselves.

“Orient had a tough game on Tuesday and the pitches have been really boggy and tough since the snow’s melted and of course the wet conditions have come in, honestly for our guys and I can only really comment on my players, there’s a real appetite to get a game going. I can see it in their eyes.”

Stevenage have beaten both Leyton Orient and Notts County already this season away from home, it remains to be seem if they can do likewise on their own patch.