Sawyers eyeing up a return to Wembley

They graced the hallowed turf at Wembley just five months ago, but Romaine Sawyers is determined to see Walsall back at the iconic home football.

An historic first trip to the national stadium may have ended in defeat to Bristol City back on March 22.

But the Saddlers begin another Johnstone's Paint Trophy adventure at Morecambe tonight, with Sawyers determined his side will go one better this year.

"We are inspired to do well in this competition," said the creative schemer who has scored four goals already this season.

"Playing at Wembley last year was a fantastic occasion for the football club and we would love to get back there again.

"As a player you walk out onto that pitch and it's like carpet – if you can't play football there, you can't play anywhere.

"Getting to the final last year has made us extra motivated to return. Having a taste of playing in stadiums like that makes you strive for it even more."

[breakout title="Likely line-ups"]

Morecambe (4-4-2)

Roche; Beeley, Parrish, Dugdale, McGowan; Goodall, Mullin, Barkhuizen, Fleming; Devitt, Miller

Substitutes: Kenyon, Molyneux, Bondswell, Bailey, Wilson, Ryan, Stewart (GK)

Walsall (4-4-2)

MacGillivray; Kinsella, Downing, Townsend, Taylor; Lalkovic, Morris, Mantom, Chambers; Bradshaw, Cook

Substitutes: Henry, Preston, Flanagan, Forde, Sawyers, Baxendale, Roberts (GK)

[/breakout]

The Saddlers head to the Globe Arena as heavy favourites following an unbeaten start to the season which has seen them win their last six games.

But despite having more pressure on their shoulders, Sawyers insists the players can handle the added expectation.

"This game is no different to the Blackpool game, we know we are expected to go there and win," he said. "The key is to be professional but I think the fans have seen a different side to the team already this season.

"We have shown how ruthless we can be. Against Blackpool we were 1-0 up at half-time and even though we were cruising in the second half we still wanted to score more.

"The team is full of confidence and we believe we can win every game.

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"The belief is there and I think we showed that against Brighton.

"We went a goal down but we always felt we could go on and win the game despite the fact we were up against a team top of the Championship."

Dean Smith's side will be without goalkeeper Neil Etheridge and full-back Jason Demetriou for tonight's game and Saturday's league clash with Bury after the duo received international call-ups to the Philippines and Wales squads respectively.

Craig MacGillivray is almost certain to start in goal but Smith has a decision to make at full-back with Liam Kinsella, Anthony Forde and Kieron Morris all options depending on what formation he opts for.

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"Whoever the boss picks will come in and do a great job," Sawyers said.

"The boss has been a tinker man this season and we all know none of us are guaranteed to play.

"Is it frustrating? Yes and no. I always want to play but you have to hold your hands up and say the team is doing well. You have to give credit to the gaffer.

"But there is no ego in the side, nobody thinks they are better than anyone else.

"Everyone is accepting it and showing their disappointment, which is only natural, in a positive way.

"If you come to training you can see we are all pulling in the same direction. Everyone is fully focused on being successful.

"That has shown with the start we have had.

Things couldn't be going much better."