CONNOR Wood found himself in an unusual position at Carlisle last week – as an unused substitute.

The former Bantams left back was not involved in Leyton Orient’s 1-1 draw in Cumbria after taking a knock.

It was the first time that Wood had not kicked a ball in the league since August 10, 2019 when Gary Bowyer did not bring him on at Grimsby – a run of 83 games.

Wood was the only player to start every League Two game last season for City and was on the pitch for all but the last 16 minutes of the campaign when he was subbed for Matty Foulds against Morecambe.

The 25-year-old, who made 115 appearances in three years at Valley Parade, found himself on the bench again for Kenny Jackett’s O’s in midweek.

But he came on for the last 34 minutes of the 2-0 home loss to Harrogate and will be keen to regain the starting shirt for his reunion with City.

Former Wolves, Portsmouth and Millwall boss Jackett was appointed in May after Orient decided against offering interim boss Jobi McAnuff the permanent role. The veteran winger had been in charge for the final three months of last season.

Jackett, sacked by Pompey in March, has overseen a summer overhaul with Wood joined by the likes of Darren Pratley, Omar Beckles and Lincoln loanee Theo Archibald.

Orient beat Exeter 3-0 in their opening home game but the midweek setback was their first defeat of the league campaign. Striker Harry Smith, deputising for penalty taker Aaron Drinnan, also missed from the spot.

Jackett admitted: “We gave soft goals away and didn’t do enough. We didn’t compete enough and need to play a lot better than that.

“Harrogate were a little bit more manly and streetwise to League Two and we have to come bouncing back on Saturday.

“There are lessons we’ve got to learn because there is a good Bradford side coming here. We’ve got to pass that ball a lot quicker."