Matt Pennington back at Everton from Walsall

Boss Jon Whitney has declared Walsall ready for business as they prepare for a pivotal few days in the race for automatic promotion – despite losing Matt Pennington.

The Saddlers travel to Valley Parade tomorrow to face a Bradford side fighting to cement their place in the League One play-offs.

Then on Tuesday, Whitney's men take on West Midlands rivals Shrewsbury in what is their game in hand over second-placed Burton.

Victory in both fixtures will almost certainly see Walsall move into the automatic promotion spots with just two games of the season remaining.

But they will have to do it without defender Pennington, who has been recalled by parent club Everton due to an injury crisis.

Despite the setback, Whitney insists his charges are ready for battle, saying: "We are in a great position – it's the business end of the season and we are ready for business.

"First and foremost, it's Bradford, it's going to be a great game. I'm really looking forward to going there – it's going to be a packed house and a true test.

"But we are going to revel in it and enjoy it. We are not doing this for our wage packets. We are doing it because we want to win things and we want to achieve things.

"We have got ourselves in this position, we have to live up to the expectation. But the players are good enough to cope with the demands of the modern game."

Bradford enter the game with the second-best defensive record in League One.

Elsewhere, Romaine Sawyers and Rico Henry have been rewarded for their fine form this season by being named in the PFA League One Team of the Year.