Julian Gray knows of the drop effect

Walsall winger Julian Gray knows the pain of relegation would run deep.

The wide man is aware a summer of heartbreak would affect more than just the players - which is why he is desperate to beat the drop for the Saddlers' unsung heroes.

A place above the League One drop zone, ahead of Bristol Rovers on goal difference, they host Brighton tomorrow in the first of their final five games.

The Seagulls could clinch the title with a win having already won promotion with a 4-3 victory over Dagenham & Redbridge on Tuesday.

But the fact the Saddlers still don't know where their future lies rankles with Gray, who is one of several out of contract at the end of the season.

And the former Coventry and Birmingham ace admitted the players must survive not just for themselves, but for the whole club.

He said: "It's not a nice feeling because it doesn't just have an impact on you - it has one on the whole club, the staff, people behind the scenes - everyone. Everyone just feels low. It's not a nice feeling to have.

"It's about everyone - it's not just the players alone. The ultimate thing is what is seen on the pitch but what goes on behind the scenes and people who keep the club going on the day-to-day basis is just as important.

"The fans don't want to go into the summer knowing their team has been relegated, they'd be miserable knowing the team is going to be in League Two next year.

"Throughout the whole summer you're thinking 'we've been relegated, it's League Two next season'. It's not something to look forward to."

Gray suffered relegation with Birmingham in 2005-06 after Blues went down, along with Albion, by four points.

It ended a four-year stay in the Premier League after a successful stint under boss Steve Bruce following promotion via the play-offs in 2002.

The 31-year-old joined Blues from Crystal Palace in 2004 and they avoided the drop with ease in 2005, after initially struggling, and Gray insisted he can see similarities between his old club and the Saddlers.

He said: "It was different situations at different clubs but in my first season at Birmingham we were in a relegation fight for a while. But we got out of it and showed our strength and I see the same strength and character in this team.

"The season when we were fighting relegation, we'd turned the corner by February. It didn't go to the end so it was a bit different but staying up and knowing you have another chance in the league is the most important thing."

The positive atmosphere in the Saddlers' camp can be attributed to the renewed hope boss Dean Smith has brought in and the 3-2 win over Brentford on Tuesday left Walsall in pole-position to stay up.

They are underdogs against the Seagulls but Gray has taken inspiration from his time at Arsenal, where he started his career, and insisted the Saddlers must remain together.

He said: "I played at Arsenal and with the first team you learn to adapt to different things. It's not about individuals, it's a team thing. When you play with those players and see what they do, it's about winning.

"They won loads of trophies because they were a team. When you are around those players you learn certain things.

"I took so much from the players I played and trained with like Dennis Bergkamp, Ian Wright, Thierry Henry, Nicolas Anelka, Marc Overmars and Patrick Vieira."

Brighton's win on Tuesday not only helped the Saddlers' survival chances but sealed the Seagulls' return to the Championship after a five-year absence.

They are closing in on the title and boss Gus Poyet is likely to recall Ashley Barnes for on-loan Albion hitman Chris Wood.

Gordon Greer serves the second of a four match ban after his red card in last Saturday's 2-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday.

And former Uruguay international Poyet admitted - despite being overwhelming favourites - he is wary of the Saddlers.

He said: "Walsall are going to make it difficult and they are playing much better than three months ago. They are fighting for their lives.

"They are going to put pressure on us and will probably be expecting us to be hungover so it's up to me to pick a team that's going to be ready.

"We'll see if we need to make a few changes."

Walsall's players will undergo their warm-up prior to tomorrow's game wearing SANDS T-shirts, to help club secretary Dan Mole raise £10,000 for the stillbirth and neo-natal death charity.

Mole's wife Emma tragically lost a baby last summer and so far they have raised more than £2,500.

There will be a bucket collection at the ground and Saddlers fan Kevin French is also running the London Marathon on Sunday for the cause.

If you wish to donate to the worthy fund please visit www.justgiving.com/Daniel-Mole