Walsall vs Northampton - preview: Saddlers eye progression in EFL Trophy
Walsall can book their place in the knockout stages of the EFL Trophy if they beat League One side Northampton Town this evening.
The Saddlers, who sit second in Group K, are currently tied on three points with Northampton and Shrewsbury, but would mathematically qualify for the Round of 32 with maximum points.
Shrewsbury have already played twice, while Northampton will face the Shropshire outfit in their final game, meaning only one of them can progress to the next round if Walsall win tonight.
If Walsall do progress beyond the group phase then it will be the first time they've done so in back-to-back seasons since 2019.
A view to the next generation at Walsall
The EFL Trophy has also provided Mat Sadler with the chance to scan his eye over those on the fringes, and the next generation.
Walsall made 11 changes for their 3-1 win over Shrewsbury in their group opener and Sadler is likely to rotate just as heavily for the visit of Northampton.
Sadler handed senior debuts to scholars Stan Straw and McLloyd Oben from the bench at Croud Meadow in early September. Charlie Wragg also made only his second first team appearance with a late cameo.
