Walsall v Newport County: Saddlers have chance to reel in rival in chase for play-offs

Although Saddlers sit 14th in the division, they are within touching distance of the top seven as only seven points separate them from tonight’s opponents, who occupy that final play-off spot.

Following the clash with Newport, Walsall welcome Bradford to the Banks’s Stadium and then travel to Exeter in what could be a crucial run of games if they are to make a late promotion push.

With Saturday-Tuesday games coming regularly for the next few weeks manager Brian Dutton is aware that the club must start winning games to keep their promotion hopes alive.

When asked about the challenge of Newport, Dutton said: “They’re a phenomenal team in this league.

“They’ve come away from the form they showed in the early parts of the season but they’re not going to turn into a bad team overnight. They’ll come back to the boil.

“We have to make sure that Walsall come to the party and try to get three points.

“We don’t want a situation where we run out of games (to catch the top seven).

“Things such as the red card (against Stevenage) make it more difficult for us but we want three points.

“Every game is a vital one between now and the end of the season.”

Walsall’s task is made more difficult after Liam Kinsella was given a straight red card on Saturday for a robust tackle on Stevenage’s Jack Aitchison.

Dutton was unhappy with the decision to send off Kinsella but felt it was unlikely to get overturned because the officials ‘can hide behind the momentum and the force of the tackle’.

As a result, the Saddlers chose not to appeal the decision and the midfielder will now miss the next three games, starting tonight.

His loss will be a big blow to Walsall, who are losing a player vital to their starting XI this season.

The academy product has arguably been the player of the season so far this year with dogged displays in the middle of the park.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Liam Roberts says Walsall must enter tonight’s game ‘full of confidence’ with an appetite to attack.

The 26-year-old was in marvellous form at the weekend, making several top class saves to keep his side in the game.

Now, with out-of-form Newport next, Roberts insists the side must be at their best.

“We have to go into Wednesday full of confidence and take the game to them,” Roberts said.

“We’re at home and it’s a game to go and express ourselves.

“It’s a confidence boost (making big saves) and I’ll take it into the next game.

“I’ll keep motivated and with that aggressive style of play.

“You have to have a calm presence around the goal but in your work you don’t want to concede a goal, so you have to be aggressive.

“Coming for crosses, stepping out your comfort zone.”

Stuart Sinclair has missed the last three games through injury while Tyreik Wright has missed the last two.

Both were in contention to return for either of the last two fixtures, with Dutton describing it as ‘touch and go’.

With Kinsella unavailable Sinclair may make a timely return to the side if he is fit.

Frank Vincent will hope to keep his place in midfield, while Alfie Bates may make his first start under Dutton.

Academy midfielder Sam Perry has been knocking on the door for an opportunity so if Sinclair is not fit he may make the squad. If Wright is not ready to return Jack Nolan and Jayden Reid will likely feature on the bench.

The latter is still waiting for his first appearance since joining on loan from Birmingham at the beginning of January.

James Clarke and Rory Holden are getting closer to injury comebacks, but are unlikely to feature tonight.