Full-back is feeling fit after missing the end of last season with a back problem
Talented youngster Myles Judd is feeling fit and ready for when called upon by Leyton Orient head coach Steve Davis this season.
The 18-year-old hasn’t made a competitive appearance for the O’s since March, but played 90 minutes in a behind-closed-doors friendly with Dagenham & Redbridge yesterday.
After a gruelling first pre-season as a professional, Judd is feeling good having ended the 2016/17 campaign on the sidelines with a back issue.
He said: “I was in and out of the first-teams pre-season last year, so this was my real first one with the seniors.
“It was really good and hard of course because we were put through our paces, but I am feeling fit and ready.”
When Judd does get a chance to feature under Davis, it will be his first taste of life in the National League.
The right-back feels he knows what to expect, however, after adjusting well to the rigors of League Two football last season.
Judd added: “I have never played in the division before, but I have heard it is not too different to League Two.
“I expect it to obviously be physical and we know we can’t take things for granted in this league.”
Even despite Tuesday’s 6-1 defeat at Bromley, the atmosphere at Orient remains very different to last season.
Towards the end of Francesco Becchetti’s tenure, O’s young players were chucked into the deep end and asked to help the club avoid relegation.
It was always likely to end one way, but now life at Brisbane Road appears good again with Nigel Travis and Kent Teague in charge.
Most of the talented teenagers remain at the club too and despite several experienced players being part of the squad, there looks to be no cliques in the dressing room.
“It is really good to have so many other young lads around you and great for team bonding and the banter,” said Judd.
“With the older players, there is no separation either, so we all get on well and it is really great.”
Orient are only four games into the new season, but have had mixed time of it with two wins and two defeats so far.
Judd, when speaking before the start of the campaign, reflected on the difference in approach between the club’s current owners and O’s predecessor
And the young full-back, who appears much wiser than his age, believes the way Travis and Teague do things will help the squad this season.
“The new owners are not demanding success straight away, so that takes a little bit of pressure off us as a team,” said Judd.
“We do really want to get promoted this season, but it is nice to know we don’t have loads of pressure on us.
“I think that will hopefully help us not make many mistakes, which will obviously be a good thing going forward.”
There is a long way to go this season, but it is safe to presume Judd will get plenty of chances in an Orient shirt.
When he is handed an opportunity, he is unlikely to let the team either after showing so much mettle during the 2016/17 campaign.
Judd’s versatility also means if Jake Caprice or Joe Widdowson suffer a dip in form, a more than capable replacement is waiting in the wings.
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