Brandon Comley eager to mark "special occasion" in style as Walsall century looms

Comley moved to within one shy of his Saddlers century in the 2-2 draw at Cheltenham Town on Tuesday and will become the sixth current Walsall player to surpass 100 matches if he features against Swindon Town at Bescot this afternoon. 

Mat Sadler's charges head into the weekend boasting a seven-point lead at the League Two summit and Comley insists he is more focused on another Walsall win rather than individual milestones.

"It's a great achievement and hopefully we can top it off with a win whether I'm playing or not. That's the most important thing, I'm sure that 100th appearance will come eventually," Comley said. 

Current Walsall players with over 100 appearances 

• Josh Gordon - 155 
• Liam Gordon - 124 
• Jack Earing - 114 
• Donervon Daniels - 113 
• Taylor Allen - 102

"I've said it before but my main focus is on the team doing well. I'm not a player who just thinks about myself, the gaffer has instilled that mentality into the team. 

"But it will definitely be a special occasion for me when that 100th appearance does come." 

Comley was handed only his first league start during the 2-0 win at Morecambe last Saturday but feels it's has been easy to slot back into a successful team. 

"It's a lot easier when the team is doing well. The boys around me have helped me out a lot but also credit to (Jonathan) Fenners, our sports scientist. He keeps you sharp, he keeps you fit," he continued.

"He doesn't let you rest. It's not nice when you're out there doing extra runs but you realise why he is putting you through it when you're playing. 

"But it's also a testament to the players around me and making it easy for me to slot back in there.

"I've played with both of them before, Stirky more so. Every day in training everyone is pushing each other and understanding the roles that the manager wants to get out of us. 

"Plus they're intelligent football players so it's easy to slot in with those guys. Everyone understands how everyone wants to play, we're all close friends." 

The 29-year-old, who joined Walsall under Michael Flynn in 2022, has had a tricky campaign despite Walsall's success on the pitch. 

Comley fractured his leg during pre-season and suffered a fractured cheekbone on his first competitive start in a 4-0 defeat against Charlton Athletic in the FA Cup in November. 

The Montserrat international admits it's has been a difficult campaign psychologically for him, with Ryan Stirk making the deep-lying midfield role his own for much of the campaign. 

But Comley is pleased with the way he has bounced back and is willing to play whatever role is required to help Walsall over the line.

"I understand my season and how it's gone. It's been a tricky one mentally for me, coming back from one injury and then getting another," he revealed. 

"I'm a player who always wants to play but I understand that the team has been doing well and I'll never be a person to cause problems or any friction in the camp. 

"I just want us to get over the line, get the job done. That's the most important thing for me, I said it to the gaffer, whether that's starting or coming on, whatever I need to do to get that squad over the line, I'm happy to do."