Walsall boss Chris Hutchings has told Jabo Ibehre he is still a key member of his side and threw down the gauntlet to top scorer Michael Ricketts.

Hutchings was delighted at Ibehre’s strike in the 2-0 win at Northampton on Saturday, after the forward started on the bench for the second successive game.

In-form Troy Deeney and Ricketts had been preferred to Ibehre, but the manager still considers him a vital part of his squad.

He said: “I was pleased for Jabo to score because, when Troy was scoring and Michael was out of the side, he was working extremely hard and he was an integral part of the team.

“Strikers always want to score goals as it keeps their confidence sky-high. I’m pleased for him because he’d gone a few games without scoring.”

The 26-year-old now has seven for the season and his goal puts pressure on seven goal Deeney and Ricketts.

Former England striker Ricketts is the Saddlers’ 12-goal top scorer and has impressed, since returning from suspension and a hamstring injury earlier this month.

But Hutchings has urged the 29-year-old to maintain his desire.

The boss added: “We’ve got to make sure he stays hungry. He’s a quality player, but it’s about the team ethic we have at the football club.

“Michael’s got to contribute to that as well as everybody else.”