Defensive belief in race for Walsall promotion

The international break means Walsall return to action at Sheffield United on Saturday refreshed and raring to go after almost two weeks without a game.

In that time, promotion rivals Wigan and Burton have endured mixed fortunes with Gary Caldwell's Latics winning both their games against Swindon and Rochdale.

But Nigel Clough's Brewers endured a more difficult Easter – taking just one point from a possible six after drawing with Oldham and losing at Millwall.

Those results mean the Saddlers sit third in League One, seven points behind table-toppers Burton and six behind Wigan with two games in hand.

And Downing insists Walsall are ready to reel them in over the next nine games.

"You don't get many weekends off as a footballer but we have had the chance to have a rest and look at some of the results elsewhere," the defender said. "We are looking forward to getting back to it.

"With just nine games remaining, it's important we pick up as many points as we can so we can try and overhaul the top two.

"We know we have a lot of strengths, we have got our momentum back and confidence is flowing after three straight wins.

"We are taking each game as it comes, as the old cliché goes. But we know we are going to have to win the majority of our games to gain an automatic spot but we believe we can do that."

Walsall return to action with three straight away games – with trips to Oldham and Gillingham following the visit to Bramall Lane. And Downing says they will travel determined to maintain their outstanding away record, which remains the best in the country.

"Our away form is something we are very proud of," he said.

"We have now got three straight away games starting with Sheffield United.

"When the fixtures come out, that is one of the games you look forward to because it is one of the biggest clubs in the division.

"It is a highlight. We are looking forward to it. It's going to be a tough game because they have got some very good players and they still want to gatecrash the play-offs.

"But it will be a nice surface, a good pitch and we are looking forward to taking the game to them."

Downing also had praise for fellow centre-back Matt Preston, who has started to break into the Saddlers' first team this season.

The 21-year-old netted a stoppage-time winner in Walsall's last outing against Colchester and also put pen to paper on a new one-year contract with the club last week.

"I am delighted to see him get that contract," Downing added.

"He has been unlucky to come in and out of the team. Me and Jimmy (James O'Connor) have built up a good partnership. But he has really grown in stature this year and fully deserves his new contract.

"He is now looking to kick on and try and get a run of games and provide competition for me and Jimmy.

"And he has got all the attributes to be a very good defender. He is still young so he has got plenty of time to learn the game and gain more experience

."