Bristol Rovers v Walsall preview: Cameron Norman hoping to thrive on healthy Walsall competition

The 24-year-old put in a superb display over 90 minutes in the 0-0 Carabao Cup draw with Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday – a game the Saddlers eventually lost on penalties.

Norman’s impressive performance came at the perfect time, just days after the club signed fellow right-back Hayden White on a free transfer.

When asked if White’s signing played on his mind on Saturday, Norman said: “I’d be lying if I said it didn’t, but it’s one of those ones that you have to have it as a healthy competition,” he said.

“We have a really good bunch of lads in there, there’s no competition that steps over the line.

“We’re pushing each other because we want ultimately for us all to do well. That healthy competition is really good.

“Before I was the only right-back at the club, but I know myself that competition is only healthy and it’s good for me and the rest of the boys as well.

“With the amount of games we have to get in, it will be hard to play every single game this season.

“I absolutely embrace the competition and if I can keep up performances like I have done the last few games, then I’ll be happy and the team will be happy as well.”

It remains to be seen whether new signings White and Emmanuel Osadebe will feature tonight, as both free agent signings will need to regain fitness levels since signing with the club last Thursday.

Meanwhile, manager Darrell Clarke was full of praise for Norman – insisting that all of his players will be important as the season progresses.

“He’s had a very strong pre-season as well,” Clarke said. “Hayden is coming in for a bit of competition for places. It will be a real intense nine-month season, where everybody is going to be used and utilised.

“Certainly until the end of October, we have so many games, so we have to make sure the lads are at the right fitness levels before they start playing competitive games.”

Tonight’s trip marks a return for Clarke to his previous club. where he spent four years and earned two consecutive promotions from Non-League to League One.

“We’re disappointed with the result (against Wednesday) because we want to win football games, but we take it to Tuesday night,” Clarke said. “I have fantastic, special memories at Bristol Rovers so I’m looking forward to going back.

“We’re very disappointed that there’s no fans, so the quicker we get fans back into football stadiums it will be great.”

Clarke is hoping to have experienced midfielders Stuart Sinclair and Danny Guthrie back this week – however tonight may prove too soon for them.

Rovers, meanwhile, are coming into the fixture following a 3-0 loss to Ipswich in the Carabao Cup on the weekend, in their first game in six months.

Zain Walker, Cian Harries and Jonah Ayunga will all be targeting a return to the starting XI – with only the latter seeing any action on Saturday, coming off the bench.

Defender Luke Leahy, who spent two years at Walsall before joining the Gas in 2019, is expecting to start at left-wing-back in the 3-4-2-1 formation that manager Ben Garner has preferred throughout pre-season and for their opening game.