Mark Gillespie eyeing a cup run with Walsall

The Saddlers visit the Championship Blades – last season’s League One champions – in the first round of the Carabao Cup. Jon Whitney’s men boast an impressive recent record at Bramall Lane and Gillespie is eager to extend it.

“I’ve been part of some really good cup runs and for League One, League Two players, it’s a chance for a bit of glory,” said the 25-year-old, who joined the Saddlers from Carlisle during the summer.Gillespie grabbed the headlines when he saved Jermaine Beckford’s penalty just minutes into his competitive debut at Gigg Lane at the weekend.

Though the Saddlers slipped to a 1-0 defeat, the keeper believes there were plenty of positives in the performance of a defence in which he is one of several new faces.“We looked good [as a backline],” he said. “Apart from shots from distance, they didn’t carve us open at all really. A lot of money has been spent on their attacking force so that’s something we can take. We’ve got another big test now against a really good side and every game we’ll get better as a unit.”

The Saddlers, who have lost on just one of their last five visits to Bramall Lane, will be without on loan Blades centre-back James Wilson, as the 28-year-old is unable to play against his parent club.

Teenager Kory Roberts is in line for just his fourth senior start at the back, while Whitney may also choose to give Max Kouhyar a run out, following the winger’s impressive performances in pre-season.

Midfielder Milan Butterfield has meanwhile joined non-league Leamington on an initial one-month loan.

The Bermuda-born 19-year-old signed for the Saddlers in 2016.