Jabo relishing return to Orient
Walsall striker Jabo Ibehre admits he has been looking forward to tomorrow's vital away match at Leyton Orient all season.
The 26-year-old had spent his entire career with the O's before leaving Brisbane Road for the Banks's Stadium in the summer, making 209 appearances and scoring 36 times after signing pro forms in 2000.
But there will be no room for sentiment when the Islington-born forward returns to his boyhood club, with the visitors needing a win to boost their fading play-off hopes and Geraint Williams' side needing points to boost their four-point cushion from the relegation places.
Ibehre also needs a goal after six games without finding the net but his last goal coincided with the Saddlers' last away win, a 2-0 victory at Northampton on February 21.
And the Walsall No 9 will need no motivation for this one.
He said: "As soon as the fixtures came out I looked for when we were playing them. I'm looking forward to it. I always play with all my heart and give the best I can but there is probably a bit more of an onus on this game – your old team-mates trying to give you a knock.
"You have to do your job, that's what I'm paid to do. I have a lot of respect for the fans down there, they've been kind to me, and I'd like to put in a good performance in front of them.
"But if I score it will be a quiet celebration. Would I like to see them stay up? Most definitely. They are starting to pull themselves out of it and long may it continue."
Ibehre is hoping for a good reception from the home crowd, as a home-grown product that stuck with the club for eight years, even when Brighton and Wycombe came calling with six-figure bids which the club accepted in the summer of 2006.
He said: "You don't know what sort of reception to expect but hopefully it will be OK. I was there a long time, I came through as a kid so hopefully they will be nice.
"I have lots of family and friends going so it will be give me a chance to everyone. They will all be rooting for me!
"I was there a long time, you enjoy your moment but you have to enjoy your next experience as well. I have obviously never been back to an old club before.
"Going back to my old ground and being in the opposition changing room will be surreal."
