Swindon v Walsall preview

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Swindon are boosted by the return of Jordan Turnbull when they host Walsall.

Turnbull served the second match of his two-game ban on Saturday as the Robins lost to Yeovil but while Turnbull will return to the squad, fellow defender Raphael Rossi Branco remains suspended and misses out once more.

With their automatic promotion hopes in tatters, boss Mark Cooper can now start planning for the play-offs and he looks set to rest influential midfielder Massimo Luongo who has been playing with a tight groin.

Amongst a number of possible changes could be a start for striker Jermaine Hylton.

Walsall have no fresh injury worries, with Dean Smith set to name an unchanged squad.

The Saddlers earned a 1-1 draw at Crewe on Saturday and could mathematically seal survival on Tuesday.

They are eight points above the League One relegation zone but boss Dean Smith is confident of survival.

He told the Wolverhampton Express & Star: “Colchester can’t go above us. All of the other seven teams down there could mathematically but it will be tough for them to win all their games.”

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Swindon v Walsall preview

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Ryan Mason is pushing for a start as in-form Swindon welcome Walsall.

The former Tottenham man returned to Robins action for the first time since September 14 in Friday night’s 2-0 victory over Notts County and he will hope to get the nod from the start.

Meanwhile, Nathan Thompson has been passed fit after being replaced at half-time due to illness but former Exeter duo Ryan Harley and Troy Archibald-Henville remain sidelined.

They are joined in the treatment room by Tijane Reis and Alex Smith who will both miss out as Mark Cooper’s men look for their fifth straight victory.

Walsall boss Dean Smith has a fully-fit squad to choose from for the trip to Swindon.

Smith looks likely to stick with the same XI that helped the Saddlers to their first win in five matches at the weekend but has plenty of options available to him should he wish to make any changes.

On-loan Chelsea forward Milan Lalkovic and Troy Hewitt are available to come into Walsall’s attack if the manager chooses to shuffle his pack.

Romaine Sawyers marked his first start in almost a month with a goal against Stevenage on Saturday and is expected to keep his place in the side.

Swindon v Walsall preview

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Kevin MacDonald has no fresh injury worries as he prepares for his first home game in charge of the Robins.

The Scot enjoyed the perfect start to his managerial reign as his new side ran out 2-1 winners at Coventry thanks to a couple of late goals and MacDonald could stick with the same XI as they look to return to the automatic promotion places.

Luke and Adam Rooney both played vital parts in the late turnaround last Saturday and the pair are likely to be involved again this weekend.

Striker Miles Storey and defender Troy Archibald-Henville remain out but otherwise MacDonald has the same squad to select from.

Swindon, who ran out 2-0 winners when the teams last met back in November, are two points behind second-placed Sheffield United.

Saddlers boss Dean Smith may well name an unchanged XI for the third successive match.

Smith watched his side record an impressive 3-0 victory at Carlisle before following that up with a 3-1 win over Shrewsbury last weekend, with in-form striker Will Grigg bagging five of the six goals.

And, with no injury or suspension concerns, Smith will see no reason to change a winning formula for the trip to Wiltshire.

Defender Ben Purkiss returned to the bench against neighbours Shrewsbury following his hamstring injury, while fit-again Richard Taundry is also now back in contention after his ankle problem.

Walsall, eighth in League One, are seven points adrift of third-placed Swindon and just five short of the play-off places.

Swindon v Walsall preview

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Paul Hart will take charge of his first game as Swindon manager in what is a crucial relegation six-pointer against Walsall.

With Danny Wilson having resigned from his post on Wednesday evening, Hart was immediately appointed until the end of the season and faces a pivotal debut in the Town dugout.

Just three points and one position separate 21st-placed Town from resurgent Walsall and victory would see them leapfrog their rivals out of the drop zone.

Hart will check on Elliot Benyon (hamstring) who missed last weekend’s 4-1 defeat at Southampton but fellow striker Thomas Dossevi (side), who also failed to recover for the St Mary’s clash, is again unlikely to make it.

Forward Vincent Pericard (knee) and defender Milan Misun (knee) remain long-term absentees.

Winger Alan O’Brien returned from his hamstring injury as a second-half substitute against Saints and should again be involved.

Walsall manager Dean Smith has a fully-fit squad for the trip to face the Robins.

The Saddlers leapfrogged Town out of the drop zone with Tuesday’s stunning 1-0 win at home to high-flying Southampton but know defeat at the County Ground would see their rivals return the favour.

Smith is unlikely to make any changes to his starting XI from midweek, meaning recent signing Emmanuel Ledesma should again be included from the off having made his debut against Saints.

Jon Macken returned from a back spasm to net the winner against Nigel Adkins’ side and he will continue to lead the line.

Striker Darren Byfield came on for his second substitute appearance in the space of four days and will again be in Smith’s matchday squad as he continues his rehabilitation from a lengthy absence with a knee injury.

Walsall are coming up against a Swindon side keen to impress new boss Paul Hart in what is his first match in charge following Danny Wilson’s resignation on Wednesday evening.