Walsall are looking to lengthen their stride in February

With almost two-thirds of the season gone, the race for the play-offs is on and the Saddlers are very much involved.

But they have no time to reflect on an unbeaten opening month to 2014, which included their best result of the season and saw a noticeable rise in consistency.

February includes three games against teams also involved in the top six chase, starting with Saturday's visit to Northampton to face Coventry.

MK Dons and Peterborough quickly follow and the pace is so relentless manager Dean Smith admits his focus has to be on the next game, with the bigger picture left to sort itself out.

But the manager does acknowledge there has been an extra buzz around the Essington training ground in recent weeks, thanks to their current seven game unbeaten run.

"I have just rubbed January off my board and put February up," said Smith. "There are some really tough games to come.

"So we are not looking at the finishing line at all.

"But I think there is a belief there now. Some of the stuff we have been playing has been excellent.

"We are creating a lot more chances now and we never go into a game thinking we are going to get beat.

"We always go into a game thinking we will win. If we draw, there is a disappointment."

A draw was all the Saddlers had to show for another strong performance in Tuesday's meeting with Swindon yet there were still plenty of positives for them to take, with Smith clearly delighted with some of their attacking play.

They are likely to create more chances on Saturday against a Sky Blues team with the joint-third worst defensive record in the division.

At first glance it might seem the perfect time to be heading to Sixfields as at the other end of the field, the hosts have been hit by the double blow of losing Leon Clarke to Wolves and Callum Wilson to injury. Both featured as the Sky Blues claimed a 1-0 win at the Banks's back in October. But Smith expects opposite number Steven Pressley to bring in new blood before the transfer window closes tonight.

"If they bring another forward in it is going to give them a lift anyway," he said. "It will be a disappointment to lose Clarke but as I've said before in this league there are no easy games.

"They do give you chances and there have been a lot of goals scored in their games. They have maybe lost a bit of their goal threat.

"But they will be looking to replace them. They are looking for forwards as we speak and it will be interesting to see who they have lining up for them."

Smith has been impressed by the job Pressley has done despite the off-field troubles which has left his team playing home games 40 miles away from Coventry.

With many Sky Blue supporters boycotting home fixtures - they have the lowest home attendance in League One – tomorrow's game is likely to be played in what Smith admits will be a "surreal" atmosphere.

But from experience, he will warn his players to be on their game until the final whistle, with the hosts having a reputation for both scoring and conceding late goals.

"I have been there three or four times and Richard O'Kelly has as well," he said. "I think the last time I left eight minutes before the end and missed three goals.

"In total I have missed 14 goals in the four games I have been to there by leaving before the end.

"I will be telling the players the game isn't over until the final whistle goes."

Mal Benning will continue at left-back in place of the injured Andy Butler, with Ben Purkiss ready to come in for James Chambers at right-back should the latter fail a late fitness test on a hamstring problem.

Coventry's starting line-up will depend on their success in the transfer market, with Villa's Nathan Delfouneso a loan target.

Coventry (4-4-2): Murphy, Christie, Webster, Seaborne, Adams, Baker, Thomas, Fleck, Daniels, Moussa, Slager Subs: Phillips, Clarke, Haynes, Barton, Willis, Thomas, Burge (gk).

Walsall (4-2-3-1): O'Donnell, Purkiss, Downing, Butler, Benning, Mantom, Chambers A, Brandy, Lalkovic, Sawyers, Westcarr Subs: Featherstone, Hemmings, George, Baxendale, Hewitt, McQuilkin, Lewis (gk).