Walsall skipper Stephen Hughes is insistent the Saddlers’ situation is not as bad as some are making out.

Jimmy Mullen’s side entertain MK Dons looking to extend their winning run in League One to three games and expel the bad feeling which has been hanging over the Banks’s Stadium in recent weeks.

Attendances have been dropping throughout the season and exits from the FA Cup and Johnstone’s Paint Trophy have not helped – but Hughes doesn’t believe the doom and gloom merchants.

He said: “I would like to see what would happen if we were really struggling. It is not that bad, we are five points off the play-offs with a game in hand.”

Hughes realises the challenge Roberto Di Matteo’s side represent, as they sit fourth in the League One table after winning their last four games.

He said: “We are under no illusions it is going to be a tough game. There are half a dozen or even 10 teams who can make a push for the play offs and MK Dons are one of those teams.”

“We need to be on our metal. If we are I am sure we will give anyone a game.”