Game of cat and mouse for Hutch

The Saddlers return to Griffin Park tomorrow for their second round clash just seven days after drawing 1-1 in League One.

With an unbeaten five-match run to protect – and the prospect of a money-spinning third round tie – Hutchings knows the importance of the clash.

But the manager insists last week's game has no bearing on tomorrow.

He said: "It will be a bit of cat and mouse and maybe a slip or a bit of magic could turn the game. They know what to expect, they had a midweek game at Wycombe and we had one against Oldham.

"You go over a few things you think are their strengths and weaknesses which you can exploit. It works both ways, they know us and we know them and we're going there full of confidence."

Last weekend, Steve Jones' goal cancelled out an early Ben Strevens opener and the Saddlers finished the stronger, but Hutchings insist recent form counts for nothing in the Cup.

He said: "It's a cup-tie so who knows. You go there fully prepared and it's on the day. It's a game we're looking forward to and I'm sure they are as well.

"They've got the home draw but it's not too far to go and hopefully we can give a good account of ourselves and get in the next round.

"It's going to be tough as they showed their quality and strengths in the first half last week so we know what to expect.

"They probably didn't want half-time to come and we did so we could have a bit of a break and reorganise."

Dwayne Mattis could return to the squad after an Achilles injury ruled him out of Tuesday's 3-0 win over Oldham.

Jamie Vincent and Richard Taundry rejoined training yesterday but the game is likely to be too soon after their respective calf and hamstring injuries.

Hutchings said: "Everyone's OK. Richard Taundry joined in yesterday with Jamie so that's a plus. Apart from that it's not looking too bad.

"Jamie has been working hard in the treatment room and his next step was to join in with us. His calf kept cramping up after training for 25 minutes, so they had to find the root of the problem.

"They have strengthened it and worked on it so hopefully there won't be too much fatigue and he won't have the problem again.

"Dwayne's had a couple of scans and has inflammation of the Achilles. They are not nice things because outwardly they don't show a lot, apart from a bit of thickening, but the aggravation you get from them is a nightmare."

If Mattis fails to make it, Josh O'Keefe could again deputise after making his full debut in Tuesday's victory. The midfielder was cautioned in the first minute but Hutchings reckons it was just over excitement.

The Walsall boss added: "If it had been later on in the game, Josh could have walked. But that was his enthusiasm to get in the game as early as possible and show what he can do.

"He went in there and did a good job. It was his first start, we've got competition for places and that's what we've got to have.

"People have to show consistency – you can't do it one week and not the next, otherwise you'll be out of the side."

Brentford have been refused permission to play on-loan Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny and Ipswich defender Pim Balkestein but can field Tottenham youngster John Bostock and Rhys Murphy, on loan from Arsenal.