Walsall player ratings: 5s and 6s in EFL Trophy defeat at Leicester

Tom Wooster

Powerless to prevent both Leicester goals, but plunged to his left to divert a dangerous low shot behind from Bobby De Cordova-Reid late on.

Powerless: 6

Harrison Burke

Kept on his toes by the incessant movement of Amir Bristric, but produced a relative solid performance on a rare start.

Recalled: 6

Ryan Leak

Bullied when challenging in the air for the Leicester leveller and was forced off with an injury on the half-hour mark.

Injured: 5

James Connolly

Guilty of ball-watching for Leicester’s equaliser and was a tad fortunate to go unpunished for pulling back last-man Admir Bristric, but made a couple of key blocks.

Fortunate: 5

Roman Dixon

Had a busy evening on his long-awaited return from injury. Outfoxed by Tommy Watson for the second goal, but will benefit from 60 odd minutes in the tank.

Return: 6

Isaac Moore

Showed quick-thinking to set-up Andy Dallas’ opener and almost generated a chance for Tai Sodje with a clever reverse ball late on.

Bright: 6

Sven Sprangler

Struggled to plug the gaps as he was bypassed on multiple occasions and lacked the kind of aggression that he usually plays with.

Bypassed: 5

James Furlong

Caught out positionally a couple of times, but otherwise filled in well after stepping up in the absence of the injured Mason Hancock.

Deputised: 6

Ryan Sjoerdsma

A second senior start for the 16-year-old who gave a good account of himself, although he failed to spot the run of Will Smallbone for Leicester’s second.

Promising: 6

Tai Sodje

Showed good energy in the press, but ultimately spent the majority of the contest feeding off scraps.

Starved: 6

Andy Dallas

Opened the scoring inside 10 minutes after he showed good perseverance to register his second goal in as many games.

Persevered: 6

Substitutes

Elicha Ahui (for Leak, 30)

Played in virtually every position across the back-five, but looked uneasy at times following his first half introduction.

Uneasy: 5

Charlie Crew (for Dixon, 62)

Provided Walsall with slightly more of a presence in midfield.

OK: 6

Lewis Simper (for Sjoerdsma, 52)

Tidy in possession and tried to work the ball into the final third.

Tried: 6

Aaron Pressley (for Dallas, 69)

Unusually sloppy with his first-touch when playing with his back to goal.

Ineffective: 5

Reece Smith (for Furlong, 69)

Played the first part of his cameo from the bench at left wing-back, before pushing further forward in the dying embers.

Adapted: 6

Not used: Kilroy, Adomah.