Jon Whitney: Walsall relishing a Blackburn Rovers return

The League One leaders head to the Banks’s Stadium having secured a comfortable 3-1 victory over the Saddlers last month.

With arguably the strongest squad in the division, Whitney believes Rovers are the favourites to be crowned champions this season. But he says his players are even more determined to dent their title hopes following their disappointing showing in Lancashire.

“It’s a mouth-watering prospect for us – a really nice challenge,” Whitney said.

“Tony Mowbray can choose from an array of talent. I think they are where they should be in the table.

“But we’re looking forward to it. There has been an added buzz in training because it’s a challenge. It’s nice when the team top of the table come to town.

“We didn’t really give a good account of ourselves at their place. But we are looking to put that right tomorrow.

“We’ve won three home games on the bounce and we’re looking to keep it going. We’re looking forward to pitting our wits against them.”

Meanwhile, Walsall have appointed Steve Hale as the club’s new goalkeeping coach.

The former Swindon and Forest Green Rovers man has agreed an initial deal until the end of the season and replaces Neil Cutler who joined Albion last month.

“Steve is vastly experienced and has an excellent reputation in the goalkeeping world,” Whitney said.

“He is one of the applicants I spoke to and he is the one we’ve decided to move forward with.

“He’s not Neil Cutler but Steve will tell you he doesn’t want to be. We’ve not brought someone in to be a clone of Neil.

“He is enthusiastic, very detailed in what he does.

“And he is looking to help us with set-pieces, he wants to add to the goalkeeping side but also be a help to me around the club as well.

“He has got a lot of experience and I’m sure he will enjoy being part of this group.

He is going to be voice, he is not just going to be a yes person. I want to have debates with him and for him to challenge me.”