Tomorrow will see the long wait for the new season come to an end as Orient travel north to face Walsall on the opening day.

After coming agonisingly close to a playoff position last year, the O’s will be looking to go at least one better this term as they push to bring Championship football to Brisbane Road.

Walsall will also be looking to improve on last season’s showing when they survived by just one point, with an inferior goal difference to relegated Dagenham & Redbridge.

The Saddlers have strengthened over the summer however, bringing in eight new faces, two of which will be familiar to Orient supporters.

Striker Ryan Jarvis was released by Russell Slade at the end of last season but now finds himself among the ranks at the Banks’s Stadium.

O’s fans will also recognise midfielder Adam Chambers, who played enough games to earn a new deal with Orient but opted for a return to his Midland roots.

Walsall also have a familiar face in the dugout, with the club managed by former O’s player and assistant manager, Dean Smith.

Orient’s pre-season schedule saw them lose just once, succumbing 4-1 in their final match against a Tottenham XI.

By contrast, the Saddlers have claimed just won win since returning to training – that coming in the first game of their Scottish tour, beating Greenock Morton 2-0.

Smith’s side have since been held to draws with Gretna 2008 and Port Vale, while suffering defeats to Premier League neighbours Wolves and Aston Villa, as well as at League Two side Cheltenham.

The Saddlers picked up nine wins at home last season, drawing just three times and losing 11. It was this home form that kept them up however with their away points haul making them one of the worst travellers in the division.

The O’s meanwhile picked up seven wins and seven draws on their travels and will no doubt be looking to better that this season.

Slade admitted last weekend that he might not be able to name his starting XI until the last minute as the club sweat on injuries.

Stephen Dawson is rated as doubtful for the clash after struggling with an ankle injury which has seen him miss parts of pre-season, while David Mooney limped out of the Tottenham friendly with a hamstring problem.

Marc Laird is struggling with a thigh strain while Jamie Jones and Terrell Forbes will definitely not feature having missed the entire pre-season campaign.