We bring you the team news and managerial comments ahead of Sunday's visit to Walsall
WALSALL V GILLINGHAMSky Bet League One
Banks’s Stadium
Sunday February 1
Kick-Off, 6pm
Team News:
Joe Martin (ankle) is a major doubt for the game after limping off in Thursday’s 1-1 draw with Bristol City.
The exact nature of his injury is not yet known, but Bradley Garmston is likely to fill in if Joe is unavailable. Danny Galbraith (toe), Charlie Webster and Devante McKain are all in the traveling party and will be looking for a place in the 18.
John Marquis will return to the squad after being cup tied for the match at Ashton Gate.
As for the Saddlers they remain without midfielder Sam Mantom (knee) who continues to recover from injury, playing in just four games so far this season.
Managerial Comments:
Andy Hessenthaler: “After two wins and a draw we are full of confidence.
“We’ve had the boys together for a bit of team bonding and we have to keep it going.”
Dean Smith: “We're going to have to be at our best, but we are fully-focussed on the task that stands before us and hopefully we can end what has been a positive week with three welcome points.
As it stands we sit just four points off the play-off places; this is such a tight League and if we can get on a run we will find ourselves right up there.”
Previous Meetings:
The teams last met in September of 2014 when a 0-0 draw was played out at MEMS Priestfield Stadium.
In total the two clubs have met on no less than 107 occasions, the first clash taking place in September 1927 when the Saddlers won 4-2.
Walsall have 41 wins to their name, with Gillingham edging the head to head statistics with 45 victories. The remaining 21 fixtures have been draws.
Officials:
Referee - Carl Berry
Assistant Referee 1 - Stephen Finch
Assistant Referee 2 - Robert Jones
Fourth Official - Mark Jones