Walsall v Oldham preview

Team news for Tuesday night's League One clash between Walsall and Oldham at the Banks's Stadium.

Dean Smith has no new injury or suspension concerns against Oldham for what is the first game of a crucial home double-header for Walsall this week. Smith welcomed back goalkeeper Jimmy Walker (hamstring) and midfielder Richard Taundry (ankle) to his starting XI for Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Exeter. And he could well name an unchanged side as the struggling Saddlers look for vital points against the Latics ahead of Saturday's massive encounter at home to fellow strugglers Bristol Rovers. Walsall still prop up the League One table - nine points and a considerable goal difference adrift of fifth-bottom Swindon - and positive reward from back-to-back games at the Banks's Stadium would be a massive boost towards their survival ambitions. On-loan midfielder Matt Gill is in line for his home debut having made his first outing against the Grecians at the weekend. Striker Darren Byfield remains the club's only absentee as he battles to recover from his lengthy stint on the sidelines with a knee injury. The Saddlers go into the game knowing they must sharpen up defensively if they are to turn their fortunes around having scored 10 goals but also conceded 18 in their previous seven games going back to mid-December's 1-0 victory at Charlton - only the club's second league clean sheet this season. Oldham manager Paul Dickov will be without striker Warren Feeney for their trip to Walsall. Feeney is absent with an ankle injury he sustained in the 2-1 home win over Brentford on Saturday which forced him to limp off in the second half and could be out for two weeks. On-loan Preston centre-back Neal Trotman could be available despite going off with a tight hamstring 10 minutes from time at the weekend. If Trotman fails to recover in time, Dickov has confirmed second-year scholar James Tarkowski, 18, who came on for Trotman to make his first appearance for the club, will start. Dickov told the club's official website: "Tarky came on and did ever so well winning headers and making blocks so let's chuck him in. "What's the point having these young players in the squad if you are not going to give them a chance. We trust him. He is a good kid with a great attitude."