Waghorn made his first team return from injury in the second half of the 3-1 defeat to Birmingham City and Mackay was pleased with the link up play between the former Leicester forward and his attacking partner James McClean.
McClean has been in impressive form for the Latics since his switch to a forward role and has scored two goals in his last three games for the club.
Speaking about the duo to the Wigan Evening Post, Mackay said: “It was a first at Birmingham, I’ve not had chance to use Martyn since I’ve been here.
“To get another player with Championship experience who’s played up there back into the group was great. They looked like they were starting to combine well together, and we were in the ascendancy during that period.
“Losing Grant (Holt) was a massive blow, and come the end of the month who knows where one or two of the boys may be. We need to get as many experienced players into the fold as possible and Martyn falls into that category.
“Martyn came in to see me after a few days, just to introduce himself and tell me the minute he was over his injury he would do everything he could for me.
“To have the personality to come over and do that speaks volumes about the boy, and he’s always got a smile on his face which I love.
“James is another bubbly character, and the two of them are young, keen and desperate to do well for the football club.
“I want people like that here. I want people who are wanting to be here and wanting to do well for the club. We need to keep adding to the squad with more and more of those types of people and players.”
Both players are expected to start up front for Saturday's visit of Blackburn Rovers.