Tom Bradshaw trains before Wembley tie

The Saddlers are keen to give their top scorer, who is struggling with a hamstring injury, as long as possible to prove his fitness.

And the 22-year-old was visible as Walsall went through their final preparations for the Johnstone's Paint Trophy decider against Bristol City.

Smith said: "He has got to be right. He is too important to us to miss for any longer. He is a big player for us and is important.

"I might be the one who has to make the decision for him, having looked at him in training tomorrow. I will have a look and make a judgement decision."

Bradshaw hadn't fully trained before the Saddlers headed down south yesterday, instead focusing on rehab work with club physio Jon Whitney.

Smith added: "He deserves time for his exploits this season. We will certainly give him time. But he will have to train on Saturday.

"We don't want to put him on the pitch not knowing whether he is going to blow up or not."

This is the fifth spell Bradshaw has had on the sidelines this season and Smith hopes his continued work with Whitney will eventually see the problem gone for good.

He said: "It has been a frustrating one for him.I think some of it may have been mechanical and he has been working on that with, there is no-one better.

"You can see his shape has changed since he arrived in pre-season. Hopefully the work he is doing will alleviate the pains he has had."

Smith has also been boosted by the return of Andy Taylor to training. The left-back, like Bradshaw, was absent from Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Sheffield United.

Taylor appears to have shaken off a calf problem in time but there are concerns over Amadou Bakayoko, who picked up a hamstring issue after coming on as a late substitute in midweek.

After Sam Mantom's return from long-term injurym Smith has a multitude of selection headaches leading up to the game.