Saddlers aiming to be the ace in the pack

After 42 games it comes down to the last four and who blinks first.

Walsall, Leyton Orient, Wycombe are the major players around the poker table as they look to keep their cards close to their chest.

While Bury, Oldham and Preston are still trying to keep clear of immediate danger knowing they can still be caught.

The Saddlers host Tranmere – who can still be dragged into the scrap – tomorrow and victory would put them on the brink of League One safety.

Wycombe host Oldham in a must-win game with the Chairboys in the last relegation spot and four points adrift of Walsall.

The 19th-placed Saddlers sit locked on 46 points with Orient, who go to promotion-chasing Sheffield United tomorrow, knowing their fate is in their hands.

And Jamie Paterson reckons the team who can keep it together in the final roll of the dice will hit the survival jackpot.

"It's definitely about holding your nerve," said the winger. "We've got a good mix of youth and experience, so that should stand us in good stead.

"Wycombe lost 4-0 so it's a good sign for us that maybe they are the first side to fold and maybe accept relegation.

"If we get three points on Saturday and then at Exeter next week, that can see us safe. It's not impossible that we can beat the teams around us so we can get six points.

"But the gap is only four points and there are four games left so there are still 12 points to play for – it's not over at all."

Tranmere, 13th on 51 points, can all but secure survival if they avoid defeat and Wycombe fail to win after five victories in their last eight games eased them clear of danger.

But three-goal Paterson insisted the Saddlers will try to keep Rovers sweating on their future for another week with Walsall unbeaten in their last six home games.

"Tranmere had a bad run in the middle of the season but they got a new manager and started to win a few games," said the 20-year-old, with the Saddlers' last defeat at the Banks's Stadium a 1-0 loss to Notts County in January.

"It's going to be a tough game but I fancy us at home to get the three points.

"We've got two home games left and we want to win both of those. We should be looking at them which will give us a good chance of staying up. Any point away from home is good and three is a bonus.

"Tomorrow is another big game against a team on a good run but we feel strong at home and we can get points against any team in the league. We feel we're on good form at home.

"All their players are still going to be working hard – they are still playing to keep their contracts – but I don't sense any pressure within our team. We're all confident we'll stay up and we feel we can get the three points.

"With the goal difference we have a cushion too. There's four games left and if we win two that should be us safe."

Richard Taundry is struggling with his hamstring injury, which has proved more complicated than first thought, and Anton Peterlin is a doubt with an ankle injury.

Rovers could have Dave Raven available again after a hernia operation after boss Ronnie Moore blasted their display in their 3-0 defeat at MK Dons on Monday and admitted his team aren't safe.

He said: "Will 51 points be enough? You just never know. It's so tight. I know they can't all win but we're looking over our shoulder.

"I'm bitterly disappointed (about Monday), there's no doubt about that. I said my bit in the dressing room and you can't defend like we did. Some of the defending at times was so schoolboy it was untrue."