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Jonny Brain vows to fight for recall

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Axed Jonny Brain has vowed to fight for his place and prove he is Walsall's top goalkeeper.

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Axed Jonny Brain has vowed to fight for his place and prove he is Walsall's top goalkeeper.

The goalkeeper, who arrived on a free transfer from Macclesfield in the summer, was dropped after manager Chris Hutchings brought back club legend Jimmy Walker following a poor start to the season.

Brain paid the price for just one clean sheet in the opening 15 games, as the Saddlers struggled to escape the League One drop zone.

But the 27-year-old, who played in the 7-0 reserve romp over Rotherham yesterday, insisted he has all the experience needed to be the Saddlers' first-choice.

He said: "I don't want to be a number two. Jimmy might help and give a bit of a boost to the fans so that's positive but I'm experienced myself - I have played over 200 games.

"I can't hold my hands up and say I've set the world alight but the plan is to get back in the side. I try my hardest in training.

"It's been difficult, we've struggled and I've had to pick the ball out of the net more than I would have liked.

"But that's football, that's life."

Meanwhile, Martin Devaney's hamstring injury is not as bad as first feared after a scan showed no tear.

The on-loan Barnsley winger limped out of Saturday's 1-1 FA Cup draw with Fleetwood, but will be assessed ahead of the weekend trip to Bournemouth.