Fit-again Jones ready for return

Fit-again winger Steve Jones is ready to resume his goalscoring heroics with Walsall in the hope of re-igniting the Saddlers season.

The 33-year-old wide man edged ever closer to a recall with a 20-minute appearance off the bench in Saturday's collapse at Southampton.

It was a heartening sight on a gloomy day for Walsall, who saw a groin injury take Jones out of the side in December just as the player was enjoying a rich vein of form.

But with play-off chasing Milwall heading for the Banks's Stadium on Saturday, the summer signing is anxious for a return.

He said: "I was on a great run and scored nine goals but then I got injured, so it's hampered my progress and hopefully I can get back into that scoring routine.

"Goals lift everyone and hopefully I can get fitter and score those goals. I've put myself on a pedestal after scoring before I was out. I've always scored, so hopefully I can continue it now I'm back.

"Peter Till had the shirt for a while and now Alex Nicholls has it and scored last week. It keeps chopping and changing but I'm coming up behind them now."

But it has been a struggle for Jones, who has prided himself on a strong fitness record.

He said: "It's been the lowest point of my career injury wise. I've been out for so long and it's been tough - as a footballer all you want to do is play games.

"It's been a very lonely and frustrating three months and I'm glad to be back. Out of defeat on Saturday it's a positive - hopefully I can get my fitness back up to speed and get through the door.

"It was hard work with the physio, because he worked you hard but I feel good now. I've not felt anything touch wood, I felt good and the more games I get the stronger I get and the better I will be.

"It's been a hard three months watching the lads and not getting any days off, but I'm looking up rather than down now. I am looking for the call for the game against Millwall.

Jones will be looking to shake off the rust some more in tonight's home reserves match against Albion and remains undeterred by the punishment suffered at Southampton, led by hotshot strikers Rickie Lambert and Lee Barnard.

He said: "We were beaten by a better side - their two were worth a combined £2million and are always going to get you goals. They found our weaknesses.

"You can always learn from watching it and we'll take it and improve from it."