Walsall have striker hopes

Richard Money is hoping that Michael Ricketts will be back to face promotion rivals Leyton Orient tonight.

Ricketts has been missing since limping out of the 2-0 victory at Yeovil on January 8 with an achilles injury.

The striker was expected back initially for the Bristol Rovers game and then on Saturday against Gillingham, but he was still experiencing pain in the tendon upon sprinting so Money decided not to risk Ricketts in either match.

In defence Scott Dann will return after serving a one-match ban for picking up five yellow cards and missing the Gillingham victory, meaning Ian Roper will drop to the bench.

"If we can get Michael Ricketts back, which we are very hopeful of and with Scott Dann back it makes it a stronger group to pick from," Money said.

If Ricketts does return, it will mean that the manager is able to field his strongest line-up for the first time since Boxing Day, when Tommy Mooney lasted just 15 minutes.

The skipper made his long awaited comeback on Saturday and was understandably delighted to return.

"I'm delighted to be back – I've missed my match days," Mooney said.

"It's been a long time and I didn't think it was going to take a month but I'm delighted to be back in the team. I worked hard in the gym when I was out, but there's no substitute for playing a game.

"I was feeling tired towards the end on Saturday and that plays on your mind because when you get tired you're risking injury.

"We look forward to the big games anyway and even more so now after Saturday.

"We did our job. Perhaps it wasn't the best performance but all we were asked of was to get the three points and we did that against Gillingham."

The O's are likely to have a strong Black Country connection in their line-up with two former Albion players and an ex-Wolves man expected to start.

Midfielder Adam Chambers and centre-back Tamika Mkandawire provide the Albion connection, while JJ Melligan made a couple of appearances for Wolves in the 2002/03 season.

The east Londoners also have former Hartlepool striker Adam Boyd in their ranks, who is back in the goals for the Brisbane Road outfit after a torrid time at Luton.

Boyd was signed by the Hatters for £500,000 but failed to make an impact and had his contract terminated.