Claude Gnakpa eyes Wembley return

Walsall winger Claude Gnakpa has already achieved his Wembley dream – now he wants more memories.

Gnakpa scored the winner for Luton in their 3-2 victory over Scunthorpe in the 2009 Johnstone's Paint Trophy final.

And the 28-year-old is set to return against Rochdale in the second round tonight, after shaking off a hamstring injury which has sidelined him for almost a month.

The Saddlers are on the back of a six-game winless run and need a spark to reignite their season after they dropped to 19th in League One.

But Gnakpa insisted the trophy – and its Wembley carrot – can be Walsall's starting point.

He said: "If you keep winning games and reach the final, it's special. It's a competition with Wembley at the end and every player wants to play there.

"Hopefully, if we carry on in the trophy we can achieve it."

Luton beat the Saddlers 1-0 in November 2008 en route to the final, with Gnakpa starring in defence and the Hatters' winner coming from Rossi Jarvis – brother of current Walsall striker Ryan.