It’s not the size of the squad that counts, it’s how you use it, according to Walsall boss Chris Hutchings.

Visitors Cheltenham Town have used a staggering 45 players this season – that’s 20 more than the Saddlers and the most in League One, as manager Martin Allen desperately tries to save them from the drop.

But they are bottom of the table, facing crippling financial difficulties and have to offload key players.

In contrast, the Saddlers have fielded just 25 players all season – a figure only bettered by Bristol Rovers’ 24 – and Hutchings isn’t envious of Allen’s large squad.

He said: “Having a big squad doesn’t guarantee success – it’s getting the best out of what you’ve got. We’d like a few more players but it hasn’t happened.

“We are dealt the cards we have and we have to play them. Martin got quite a few players in, initially, to help turn things around, and in recent games they’ve had some good results but it hasn’t quite happened as he thought.

“Now they have had to look at the financial situation and been forced to let one or two go out.”

Hutchings has problems himself with his squad after being ravaged by injuries and international call-ups.

Defensive quartet Paul Boertien, Netan Sansara, Stephen Roberts and Anthony Gerrard are all out injured but Hutchings has been boosted by the news Jabo Ibehre has shaken off a groin strain.

Clayton Ince is on international duty with Trinidad and Tobago, while Mark Bradley is away with the Welsh under-21 side.

Skipper Stephen Hughes should return, Rene Gilmartin will replace Ince in goal and Richard Taundry could play at left-back.

But it does mean Hutchings may have to call on some of the youth team after he watched them in the reserves’ 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest on Tuesday.

He added: “We’ll have to wait and see. We couldn’t afford to put any of the professionals out on Tuesday because of the nature of the injuries.”