Walsall told to compete with Wolves

Walsall manager Chris Hutchings reckons his team must show their premier qualities to get a taste of the big time.

The Saddlers are likely to face Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Sam Vokes in attack, as Wolves boss Mick McCarthy gives his second string a start at the Banks's Stadium tonight (7.45pm).

New £7million club-record buy Steven Fletcher and £6.5million star striker Kevin Doyle are set for a run-out from the bench following their exploits in the 3-0 win at Bohemians on Saturday.

But Hutchings insists, whoever they face, his men must be out to impress against Premier League opponents.

He said: "It's a fantastic opportunity for the players which they may not get again.

"They have to grasp this opportunity to shackle international players who are worth a lot of money. They can show people what they can do and the top level is where they should be striving to get.

"It's a good experience, you want to test yourself against the best and there's no better test than when you're playing players of Wolves' calibre."

But Hutchings has stressed the result means nothing in the context of the oncoming season.

Walsall won't face teams of Wolves' quality in League One and Hutchings believes, while the Saddlers want to put down an early marker, the outcome isn't important.

He said: "You want to win and put on a good show. You don't want to go out there and get beaten heavily.

"You could do, of course, because of the quality of opposition but it's about putting things in motion. You don't get any points, none whatsoever, from pre-season.

"Whatever way the result goes we won't go overboard about it. It's just a game and we're working on fitness and things which we may introduce during the season."

Hutchings is set to rotate his line-up, following their 3-0 defeat at Barnsley in a behind-closed-doors clash on Saturday.

He said: "Mick McCarthy will do the same no doubt. It's about getting experience and we have three young lads who might get on in Jamie Paterson, George Bowerman and Alex Hickman.

"I did that with Sean Geddes and Will Grigg against Albion last year and this time it will be no different.

"We have got Wolves, Coventry and Villa up next and to have those three teams come here is fantastic."