Stevenage vs Walsall - preview: Saddlers turn attentions to EFL Trophy

They started the campaign with a 3-1 triumph at local rivals Shrewsbury Town, before falling to a 1-0 home defeat against Northampton. 

A goalless stalemate followed by a shoot-out win over Chelsea under-21s all but booked their place in the next round, which was confirmed when Northampton beat Shrewsbury 2-1 a fortnight later. 

Mat Sadler led Walsall to victory at this stage last season after Danny Johnson's equalised late on against Reading before they progressed on penalties.

Walsall eventually bowed out in the next round following a 4-2 defeat against eventual champions Peterborough United at London Road. 

Sadler has heavily rotated in the EFL Trophy this term and he is likely to continue that trend in the knockout stages, especially with a congested winter fixture schedule on the horizon. 

Kemar Roofe did not feature during the Saddlers' 3-1 win over Bromley on Saturday but Sadler is weighing up whether he is ready to make his first start for the club in Stevenage. 

The 32-year-old, who joined Walsall on a short-term deal in early November, has not started a competitive game since April 2024 for Rangers. 

It could also be an opportunity for the likes of Dan Cox, Rico Richards and Jake Hollman to gain meaningful minutes after struggling for game time in the league. 

Harrison Burke and Jamie Jellis could possibly be welcomed back into the fold after recent absences, although Aaron Pressley won't be fit to face his former club. 

Burke has missed over seven weeks with a knee injury but did train in full with the first team last week, while Jellis continues to nurse an abdominal issue which has been trouble him for some time.

Pressley has missed the past two wins over Harrogate Town and Bromley respectively with a hamstring issue, but is expected to be in contention for the FA Cup tie at Gateshead on Sunday. 

As for opponents Stevenage, Alex Revell helped them ease into the knockout rounds, as they finished top of their group thanks to wins over AFC Wimbledon, Bromley and Crystal Palace under-21s respectively. 

Stevenage scored 12 goals in the process, including five against Wimbledon and Crystal Palace, and reached the quarter-finals of this competition last season. 

They currently sit second in League One, just one point adrift of leaders Cardiff City, although they have emerged victorious just once in six games in the league (drawing three, losing twice). 

Gassan Ahadme and Phoenix Patterson have scored three apiece in the EFL Trophy this term, while fellow Stevenage attacker Jovan Malcolm once had a trial at Walsall in 2024.