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Orient boss Martin Ling has signed five players over the summer, looking to arrest the downward trend that saw them lose six of their final ten League games last season and finish in a rather underwhelming 14th place following three years of steady improvement. Like Waddock, though, Ling has to contend with a couple of defensive injuries that threaten to dent his preparations, with both Alton Thelwell and Tamika Mkandawire recovering from surgery.
Up front, however, it is a more positive story: Adam Boyd has already formed a promising partnership with young Spurs striker Simon Dawkins, and wingers Jason Demetriou and JJ Melligan (the latter recently taken off the transfer list) have provided good service from the flanks.
Wednesday's 4-1 victory at Dagenham and Redbridge was very much of two halves - an anaemic opening somewhat remedied by a dynamic second half display - after a goalless draw at Boston and another 4-1 victory, in Antwerp, against Belgian fourth division side KFCO Wilrijk.
Speaking to the local media after the Daggers victory, Boyd said, "It was our first competitive game we've played, no disrespect to the other teams, but this is more like League football.
"The first half was a bit of a kick up the backside but we came out in the second half and were completely dominant."
Despite admitting he was happy with his contribution after victory over the Daggers, Boyd insists that the goals aren't everything at this stage of the summer.
"It is nice to score in pre-season, but its not the end of the world if you don't. As long as you're feeling fit and strong, but I'm a striker and I want to score every time I play.
"No matter what you say, the manager will be looking to see who scores the goals and puts the performances in during pre-season when he picks his starting eleven, but as long as you can get a good base of fitness in it will stand you in good stead."
Boyd scored a scorcher on the night after being set up by Simon Dawkins and thought he linked up well with the on-loan Spurs frontman on the night.
He continued: "I think we had a good understanding which was nice considering it is the first time we've played together."
Ling's signings combine youth and experience, from former Norwich pair, defender Andrew Cave-Brown and striker Ryan Jarvis, to 33 year-old ex Chelsea and Colchester left-back, Danny Granville.
Whether they will be enough to lift Orient's relatively small squad out of mid-table is open to question, but with the League season just two weeks away, The Shots will welcome the strong challenge.