Isaiah Osbourne wants to be Walsall playoff catalyst

After an injury plagued 18 months, the former Villa man is now back to full fitness and determined to produce his best form at the Banks's Stadium.

Prior to his move to the Saddlers, Osbourne enjoyed spells at Scunthorpe and Blackpool – with the midfielder playing a key role as both sides successfully battled the drop.

And now the 29-year-old is determined to make a similar impact in Walsall colours.

"It's fair to say I had a big impact at Scunthorpe," Osbourne said. "I went there in November 2014 when the team was sat 23rd in the league.

"And the manager, Mark Robins, said to me I was the reason they stayed up. He felt that if it wasn't for me they would have gone down.

"But I have had that impact at a few of my old teams.

"I did it at Blackpool and the chairman came out at the end of the season and said I was the reason they stayed up.

"Now I want to have a similar impact here. But I don't want to be saving Walsall from relegation.

"I want to push on and help us get into the play-offs."

Jon Whitney's side currently sit 16th in League One, eight points outside the top six.

But Osbourne believes it's too early to write off their promotion chances.

"Anything is possible," he said.

"We're not that many points off.

"If you put a run together you can quickly close a gap in this league because there are so m any games.

"We will give it everything we have got."

Having started Walsall's last two games against Oldham and Bradford, Osbourne is now looking forward to the Boxing Day clash at Port Vale.

"The gaffer has given is Christmas Day off to spent time with the family which is great," he added.

"It's nice for the players who have got children to spent the day with them - I have got four little ones so I'm looking forward to that.

"Then it's onto Port Vale. Hopefully I'll start again because I'm really enjoying being back out their playing."