Dean Smith insists Walsall have hunger back

Absence makes the heart grow fonder, or so they say. It's unlikely Walsall fans will look back at the season so far with much affection but the Saddlers are looking to resolve that.

Two weeks since their last game, Walsall head to Oldham tonight revitalised and reinvigorated after an enforced break, according to boss Dean Smith. The manager insisted the big freeze hasn't become the big chill for his men as they look to redouble their survival efforts.

The Saddlers now face a gruelling seven games in 26 days as they bid to preserve their League One status.

It has been 14 days since the 1-0 home defeat to Notts County and since then they have fallen into the relegation zone.

Walsall are fourth bottom, a point behind Wycombe, although they have two games in hand and just four points separate the bottom six. And Smith said his men have upped their game during the break to right the wrongs of the season.

He said: "They want to play and put things right, the last time was a long time ago against Notts County and we got beat. We want to put things right from that.

"The break has helped all the lads. We've been out of our routine a little bit and been at difference facilities but there's a hunger among the lads. They want to play and get some points.

"We're really looking forward to the game, they've got that hunger and anticipation back. It's been two weeks and Oldham have had one day longer than us to wait as they haven't played since their Johnstone's Paint Trophy game against Chesterfield."

But Smith warned his men against the 16th-placed Latics' threat after they missed out on a trip to Wembley. Paul Dickov's men lost 3-1 on aggregate to Chesterfield and Smith is wary of a reaction.

He said: "They'll be smarting from that, it was a chance for them to get to Wembley.

"I watched the game and they put a lot of pressure on Chesterfield who scored a breakaway goal right at the end. It'll be a tough game, as every game is. I saw Wycombe twice after our games were called off and there are good match-ups in the league everywhere, like our game will be at Oldham."

James Walker and Jon Macken (hamstring) are both out with David Grof ready to deputise for veteran keeper Walker.

George Bowerman, Ryan Jarvis and Will Grigg are vying for the vacant striking spot alongside Alex Nicholls.

Oldham are without James Wesolowski who had a shoulder operation yesterday, while Zander Diamond is out with a hip injury and former Saddler loanee Ruben Reid is sidelined by a thigh problem.

And boss Dickov is eager to make their games in hand count after seeing their fixture at Brentford called off on Saturday.

"With Brentford and Bournemouth, people are saying what great seasons they are having," he said.

"Yet, if we win our games in hand and beat them, we go above them. "

The game is expected to go ahead after the Latics cleared snow off the pitch.

Two-thirds of the surface is playable and, though an area in front of the main stand is still hard, the milder temperatures forecast today should solve the problem.