Mullen knows importance of win

Walsall boss Jimmy Mullen knows the importance of the Saddlers' home double header, starting with the visit of Swindon Town.

A 3-0 defeat at high-flying Leeds on Saturday means Walsall have picked up just two points from the last five games, a disappointing run that has seen them slide to 13th in League One.

Swindon are two places below them but "on the up", as they say.

After the visit of the Robins tonight, Northampton take a trip to the Banks's Stadium on Saturday and Mullen realises six points would be a welcome tonic after the poor recent spell.

He said: "We now have two home games and we know they're very important to us, very important indeed. We know what we have to do – start winning games."

Mullen could make changes after a poor second-half performance in Yorkshire saw them concede the three goals.

Skipper Stephen Hughes could return after recovering from a flu bug that has forced him to miss the last three games. Winger Sofiene Zaaboub may also feature against his former club, after an 18-minute run-out at Leeds following his recuperation from a long-standing groin injury.

If he does start, it would be the French-Algerian's first for almost two months.