Darren Byfield backed to rediscover Walsall goal touch

Chris Hutchings today backed Darren Byfield to rediscover his goal touch and insisted he is keeping faith with his misfiring skipper.

The Saddlers captain has only scored three goals in 2010 but received a boost from the boss ahead of tomorrow's trip to Rochdale.

He could be thrown back into the starting line-up after recovering from an Achilles injury following a late cameo in last Saturday's 1-0 defeat to Colchester.

Despite his bright outing the 33-year-old missed three good chances, hitting the post, shooting at Mark Cousins and then firing over when clean through.

It added to Byfield's woes as he bids to end a lean streak stretching over 25 games.

But Hutchings has thr-own his weight behind his captain and believes he will fire sooner rather than later.

"One minute you're a devil and the next you're the best thing since sliced bread," he said.

"Goals are what strikers live and die on and hopefully we can take some chances which come our way this weekend.

"He knows his ratio has got to improve but every striker will be looking to do that. I'm sure when he gets one the floodgates will open.

"It's a big test for him. When strikers miss chances they are critical of themselves and disappointed, which is only natural.

"But you have to work hard in training to start sticking the ball in the net and your confidence comes flooding back.

"He's worked extremely hard and he looked even sharper last week and he feels good in himself, which is the main thing.

"He could have had three goals with the chances he had against Colchester. It's something he realised, he apologised when he came in to the changing room for the misses last week. We can't legislate for that, he's just got to make sure he puts them away the next time."

Byfield faces competition from Jon Macken, Reuben Reid, Steve Jones, Alex Nicholls, Will Grigg, Jamie Paterson and George Bowerman - a impressive list of forwards at League One level. And midfielder Matt Richards knows the Saddlers are blessed with striking riches.

Three defeats on the spin have hit them after back-to-back wins against Brentford and Plymouth but Richards reckons the team have the firepower to recover.

He said: "The fact is that we are creating chances. It's when you're not creating that you have to start to worry.

"We have some good options up front and plenty of goalscoring ability. I'm confident that the goals will start to come and we can push on from there.

"The last few results have been disappointing. But we have a great opportunity to get our results back on track and start climbing up the table again. We played some decent football at times in the last game against Colchester, the difference was that they were more ruthless than us and we have to learn from that.

"To be fair, we're not too far off where we want to be and everyone is confident we can go to Rochdale and come home with three points. Rochdale will be on a high and full of confidence, but we are looking forward to the game."

Richards is likely to be partnered in midfield by Paul Marshall in the absence of Richard Taundry (knee) but boss Hutchings could hand David Davis an immediate debut after the 19-year-old signed on loan from Wolves yesterday.

And Richards is excited about what the youngster can provide during his month at the Banks's.

"The signing of David is a positive move as he is a highly-rated young lad. To have that strength in depth in all positions is important," he said.

"From a personal point of view, I am enjoying it in the centre of midfield. It's nice to have had a run of consecutive matches in the same position, but, that said, I will play wherever I am asked to."

Rochdale host the Saddlers following their stunning 2-0 win at managerless Southampton last week.

But Dale are still hunting their first home win of the campaign and manager Kei-th Hill has called on the fans to turn Spotland into a cauldron of noise.

"That's two wins we have now - both away wins," said Hill, who has no injury worries.

"I need every single supporter to turn up on Saturday, support the players and support the way we are playing. We need patience. I'm not moaning at them but I expect them to be that extra player we need."

By Nick Mashiter