Walsall pride at stake for Sansara

Walsall now hit the road as they bid to reignite a flagging season with Netan Sansara admitting the Saddlers' professional pride is at stake.

They go to Bristol Rovers this evening, before heading to Oldham on Saturday and then Leeds next Tuesday.

Saturday's goalless draw with the Pirates at the Banks's Stadium did little to whet the appetite the Memorial Stadium clash, leaving the Saddlers 15 points adrift of the play-offs and just five above the drop zone.

Victory tonight would end an eight game winless streak stretching back to December 1, a run which has threatened pull them into a relegation scrap.

Left-back Sansara has reiterated that the squad are desperate to put their season back on track – starting at Rovers.

He said: "It's always good to have something to play for and the last thing we want is for the season to be over with 10 or 15 games to go. We're don't want to be playing for nothing, so we all have to look towards the top before the end of the season.

"Hopefully we can start looking up the table, we're unbeaten in three and have to take the positives. We've had a blip but we must start pushing up the table and building on the performances.

"Tonight is a good chance for us."

The 20-year-old has called on his team-mates for a repeat of their 3-1 success at Rovers last season, but knows the Pirates will prove stern opposition after their battling point at the weekend.

He said: "Last season, in the first half especially, we blitzed them. We came out firing and did well. In the second-half we saw ourselves over the finishing line.

"That's what we have to try and do again. They have a good atmosphere down there and we've got to go and get a result.

"We have to go there and do a job. You have to prepare yourself the same through the week, be as professional as you can and get the right result.

"Earlier in the season they looked very good but lost a few players and it's changed their course. They are like us, win one, lose one and draw one.

"They were pushing for the play-offs but they have slipped away. They've got ambitions of going higher and hopefully it'll be a better game than Saturday.

"We have to take the positives and keep moving up the table, which starts at Bristol Rovers tonight."

Sansara's place is under threat should Manny Smith shrug off his thigh injury but the former England under-19 international is grateful he has been given his chance this season.

He said: "The gaffer pulled me and Darryl Westlake aside before the Norwich game and told us he wanted to add some experience to the team.

"As young lads you've got to take it on the chin and that's what we did. The gaffer got it right, because against Norwich that experience showed.

"He told us to be ready when we were called upon next and us two have acquitted ourselves well in the last two games - that's what we've got to keep doing.

"I've enjoyed playing under the manager and it's the longest stint of my first team career. That's down to the gaffer putting his faith in me and I can reap the rewards from that."

Troy Deeney should return for the Saddlers after serving his one match ban at the weekend, with Sam Parkin the likely man to drop out. Skipper Mark Hughes is available, but Steve Jones' groin injury continues to sideline him.

Pirates boss Paul Trollope is facing an injury crisis following Saturday's stalemate at the Banks's, but has signed Doncaster striker Paul Heffernan on loan. The new boy s likely to start but Trollope has major doubts over Carl Regan (dead leg) and Jeff Hughes (groin) while Danny Coles, Aaron Lescott and Chris Lines are definitely out.

But defender Steve Elliott has warned Rovers are on an upward curve after their point at the Banks's – especially after losing 5-0 at Leyton Orient last week.

He said: "In some ways the result at Leyton Orient was a kick up the backside which made you take a good look at yourself in the mirror.

"You wonder whether you are doing the right things and try and change the things you find wrong. We did that as a squad and I thought on Saturday we put in a steely and resolute performance on a pitch which wasn't great.

"We were tight as a unit, didn't give Walsall any space or room to play and restricted them to very few chances.

"That surface was probably the worst I've played on for a few years now but we still played some good football. Hopefully tonight on our pitch we can carve out a few chances."