Walsall expect duo to make Crewe trip

Boss Sean O'Driscoll expects Neil Etheridge and Tom Bradshaw to be fit for Walsall's League One clash with Crewe on Saturday.

Goalkeeper Etheridge missed the Saddlers defeat to Millwall with a gashed knee picked up in the FA Cup loss to Reading.

Bradshaw, meanwhile, was forced to come off against Neil Harris' side with an ankle strain.

O'Driscoll, though, confirmed both should be fit for the trip to Gresty Road, but added Bradshaw will have to undergo a late fitness test.

The head coach said: "We will assess Tom on Thursday - fortunately, his ankle seems fine. There is quite a lot of swelling. He has over stretched it rather than anything too serious.

There is swelling and bruising but he is really positive and functionally he is in no pain whatsoever. He can do most things but the swelling is a bit awkward. It will be a last minute call.

"Neil is fit and has trained today. Hopefully he won't have any further problems."

Saturday's game is likely to come too soon for fellow goalkeeper Craig MacGillivray who missed the clash against the Lion's with a shoulder injury picked up in training.

Meanwhile, development coach John Ward was impressed with trialists Ellis Plummer and Josh Wakefield who featured in yesterday's reserve game against Wigan.

Ward said: "Ellis came in and did very well alongside Matt Preston. Bryn Morris (on loan from Middlesbrough) was very instrumental in our play and linked up well with Josh Wakefield.

"It was only Josh's second game in a while, so he will get sharper. They're all at different stages in their fitness, so it was good to get more game time for all of them."