Walsall v Wrexham - Match preview

Meanwhile, Walsall returned to winning ways with a 2-0 triumph over Crewe Alexandra on Boxing Day, and have collected three wins from four in League Two.

Mat Sadler’s charges added the Railwaymen to their list of victims, which also includes league leaders Stockport County and promotion hopefuls Notts County.

And they’ll need to draw on those experiences if they want to draw the curtain on 2023 with a flourish.

Sadler made the one enforced change against Crewe as David Okagbue dropped out with a head injury for Isaac Hutchinson.

However, the Saddlers boss stuck with the likes of Jackson Smith and Jamille Matt, and now feels as if Walsall are reaching a stage where they can field a consistent selection of players.

“Previously we were having to change shape, or we were having to change personnel, and I know that isn’t the way that good teams and successful teams are run,” Sadler admitted.

“We are happy that we are getting towards that now. We’ve had a good two weeks of being able to do that and we just have to keep improving.”

Freddie Draper has started alongside Matt for the past two games, and the pair also featured to strong effect in the second half of Walsall’s 1-0 win over Tranmere earlier this month.

Draper scored in successive games with his opener against Crewe, and also reached double figures for the campaign.

Matt left the pitch to a standing ovation late on, and Sadler is buoyed by the signs they have both shown of late.

“Jamille was a monster (against Crewe). He was so difficult to play against. I thought his hold up play was brilliant, but most importantly for me, was the job that he did for the team,” the Walsall boss observed.

“He did such an important job for the team out of possession. Freddie gets his goal and continues to be a pest and a menace for the opposition deep into games.”

The only sour note in Walsall’s Boxing Day win was the suspected hamstring injury suffered late on by Oisin McEntee.

McEntee was assessed immediately after the final whistle, although Sadler was understandably unable to provide a great deal of clarity on the situation.

Nevertheless, the Irishman remains a major doubt, while it’s unclear whether Okagbue will be available again.

“Of course, with Oisin going off, there will have to be a little bit of a re-adjustment if the next game comes too soon for David,” added Sadler.

Meanwhile, Joe Riley (knee), Ross Tierney and Aramide Oteh (both hamstring) remain out for the Saddlers.