Derby date is more important to Sean O'Driscoll

Sean O'Driscoll admits his players are looking forward to locking horns with ex-boss Dean Smith when Walsall take on Brentford in the FA Cup third round.

Despite the added spice surrounding tomorrow's tie – with 1,600 Saddlers fans making the trip south – the Saddlers head coach believes winning three points at Coventry on Tuesday is a bigger priority.

Smith left the Banks's just six weeks ago to have a shot at guiding the Bees into the Premier League.

Tomorrow though he will compete against the club where he enjoyed almost five years in charge in a bid to win a place in the FA Cup fourth round.

Despite the high-profile nature of the game, O'Driscoll is more concerned with picking up points in League One and building up the fitness of returning stars Tom Bradshaw and Rico Henry.

"We have got Coventry on Tuesday night which, in perspective, is a more important game," he said. "The FA Cup is there to be enjoyed, and I think the players are looking forward to pitting their wits against someone they have worked with for four or five years.

"That is what they are looking forward to.

"From a point of view of the team, it's an opportunity to get Tom and Rico back in the squad ahead of Tuesday."

Bradshaw and Henry both came off the bench is last weekend's defeat to Rochdale as they stepped up their return from ankle injuries.

And O'Driscoll is pleased with how the pair have trained this week.

"They have both trained really well," he said.

"They weren't ready to start against Rochdale and ideally you would like to put them on earlier when you are winning 3-0.

"But it gave them a taste of getting back into action. Tom is used to coming back from injury but it's a bit different for Rico. They are both, touch wood, fit and available for Brentford."

Meanwhile, O'Driscoll is expecting to soon be able to announce that George Evans' loan from Manchester City has been extended.