Jon Whitney: My 'crazy nights' on the phone hunting for a Walsall defender

The manager has been working hard to add cover for the left-side of his defence to complete his summer overhaul of the Saddlers squad and believes he could land his man prior to the visit of the Shakers.

Whitney said: "I have been making a lot of phone calls, which all managers are doing at this stage of the season.

"It is the crazy time now, when agents are phoning late into the night. I just have to make sure the player I bring in is right for the group, along with being someone who can strengthen us defensively."

Skipper Adam Chambers should return following a fortnight out with a hamstring injury. Whitney is also hopeful Erhun Oztumer will be able to play a more significant role in Saturday's game after a back injury limited the midfielder to a substitute appearance in last weekend's 2-1 defeat to Charlton. The manager meanwhile remained coy over the prospect of left-back Rico Henry featuring at the weekend. Henry is said to be progressing well following treatment on the dislocated shoulder suffered at Oldham earlier this month and Whitney will meet with the club's medical staff and assess how best to handle his return.

"It's difficult when you keep changing players with the injuries we have had but I am trying to get a bit more consistency with the team now," he said.

After a run of four games without a win, Whitney believes his team has benefited from a week on the training pitch.

"We needed this week," he added. We have a few little niggles, a few knocks. We needed the week just to freshen up and spend some time on the training pitch.

"Pre-season is good and we were showing improvements but when the games come it is difficult to do too much because you are always trying to recover and prepare for the next one. This week has been really good. We have had a few more sessions of what we are about."