Walsall boss is sticking by Romaine Sawyers

The 22-year-old struggled in Tuesday's 2-1 home defeat to Yeovil Town and his substitution late on was greeted by sarcastic cheers from sections of the crowd.

Sawyers later acknowledged on Twitter that the performance was 'well below' his own personal standards. But Smith does not expect the former Albion ace to shirk his responsibilities.

"It is tough on them but Romaine knows he has to do better," said Smith. "One thing he does not do is shy away from it, he still wants the ball."

Sawyers was guilty of missing two good chances in the defeat to the Glovers and has not scored since January. The Saddlers, meanwhile, have won just once at home during that period and taken just one point from the first two league games in front of their own fans this season.

And Smith admitted the players are feeling the pressure.

"Pressure builds all the time and when people talk about us not scoring Saturday, even though we played ever so well, players feel that," said the manager.

"They are only human beings and they have emotions and feelings. We try and shield them as much as we can from it, but pressure does build on them.

"We know Romaine can score, we see him in training. He scored seven last season and he will score this season."

Smith believes a raft of injuries is not helping his side's cause and hopes to see several players return in the coming week.

James O'Connor should be ready for Saturday after shaking off a groin problem, with Ben Purkiss (ankle) also expected to return.

There was further good news on James Chambers, who is likely to miss a week at most from the hamstring injury sustained in Saturday's 0-0 draw with Bradford.

"Three of them went for a scan on Monday night and I think we got three for one," said Smith. "It was good news to be fair.

"I have had six or seven on the treatment table and it is a big chunk of our players to take out, we played some terrific football and when they come in I think we can only get better."