Preview: Walsall Vs Fleetwood Town

Walsall take on Fleetwood Town tonight in the FA Cup 1st round replay, as they try to win through to the second round against Torquay away.

The first match ended in a 1-1 draw, after Richards opened the scoring, McGivern was sent off and Fleetwood winning and missing a penalty.

Following the 3-0 defeat on Saturday to Bournemouth, the Saddlers are in desperate need for a positive result.

Jon Macken and Clayton McDonald are question marks as they overcome injury and Martin Devaney is a big doubt. McGivern serves the second of his three match ban for his dismissal 10 days ago and is also on international duty with Northern Ireland along with Will Grigg. New signing Andy Butler is ineligible.

Fleetwood will welcome back Shaun Beeley and Gareth Seddon.

Of the game, Aaron Lescott told the official site: ”We have prepared right and the Gaffer has done his homework, so if everyone does their jobs on the night we can make progress into the next round…A good Cup run can help the club in so many different ways, particularly as it’s the FA Cup, a competition that everyone wants to do well in and reach as far as they can.’

There is a defensive headache as new signing Andy Butler cannot fill the shoes of suspended McGivern. Matthew Richards has proven experience in that position, but would leave the midfield vulnerable.

Predicted team: Walker, Lescott, Westlake, Smith, Richards, Gray, Taundry, Marshall, Jones, Dickinson, Reid.

Score: Walsall should sneak a 1-0 win, let’s hope!