Walsall v Crawley preview

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Walsall have no fresh injury worries ahead of the visit of Crawley after the return of Tom Bradshaw.

The striker scored his 17th goal of the season in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Fleetwood following a hamstring problem.

Rico Henry also returned in the game after a dislocated shoulder which had kept him out since February.

Dean Smith’s side are four points above the League One relegation zone, with Crawley only outside on goal difference.

Anthony Wordsworth returns from suspension for the visitors.

The on-loan Ipswich midfielder completed a two-match ban for collecting 10 yellow cards as Town’s relegation worries deepened with a 2-1 defeat at fellow strugglers Scunthorpe on Saturday.

Conor Henderson (ankle), Josh Simpson (hamstring), Dean Leacock (groin) and Darren Ward (heel) are all still sidelined.

Centre-half Ward could be back at the weekend, however, despite initial fears that his injury would rule him out for the rest of the season.

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Walsall v Crawley preview

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Walsall are boosted by the return of captain Andy Butler for the visit of Crawley as they look to keep pace with the play-off picture.

Centre-back Butler missed last Friday’s goalless draw at Peterborough due to a one-match suspension picked up following his red card against MK Dons.

James Chambers stepped in and suitably impressed at London Road, meaning he could well keep his place in the Saddlers’ defensive line.

Fellow defenders Andy Taylor and Dean Holden (both knee) remain sidelined for seventh-placed Walsall, who have lost just one of their last nine.

Crawley boss John Gregory could hand debuts to a host of players when they visit Walsall.

The Red Devils have not played a game since January 25, meaning they are seven games behind some other teams in the division.

Gregory has since signed Rory Fallon, Hiram Boateng, Sullay Kaikai and Paul Connolly, with all four poised to make their bows in the Midlands.

The long period without a fixture, which Gregory this week likened to a ‘winter break’, has also allowed Dannie Bulman (fractured cheekbone) and fellow midfielder Andy Drury (groin) to regain full fitness.

Walsall v Crawley preview

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Walsall boss Dean Smith must decide whether to tinker with a winning formula as his side face a third game in the space of a week at home to Crawley.

Smith named an unchanged XI for the fourth successive match on Tuesday as the Saddlers brushed side fellow promotion rivals Tranmere 2-0, coming after their 2-2 draw at Swindon last weekend.

And, with no new injury or suspension problems expected, the only thing on Smith’s mind may be whether to rotate one or two players in order to try and extend the midlands club’s eight-match unbeaten record.

The likes of Nicky Featherstone, Ashley Hemmings, James Baxendale, George Bowerman, Ben Purkiss and Dean Holden are all options should Smith look to freshen things up.

Crawley are still without skipper Josh Simpson for the trip to Walsall.

The midfielder has yet to recover from the ankle injury he suffered shortly after scoring Town’s goal in the 1-1 draw against Doncaster last month.

Defender Kyle McFadzean will also miss out again as he continues to build up his fitness following the virus which struck him down in November.

But boss Richie Barker has no new injury worries and was able to welcome back top scorer Billy Clarke (hamstring) in the 2-2 draw at Yeovil in midweek.

Clarke should start again alongside new signing Paul Hayes, who made his debut at Huish Park.

Midfielder Nicky Adams could return to the starting line-up after dropping to the bench on Tuesday.