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IMPORTANT INFORMATION
This Saturday's game takes place at the Stags' One Call Stadium with kick-off scheduled for the earlier time of 1.00pm.
PRE-MATCH NEWS
Undefeated in their last three league games, Walsall make the trip to the One Call Stadium on the back of two wins in as many games and in search of three much-needed points.
After failing to win nine league games on the bounce, victories over Northampton Town and AFC Wimbledon have gone a long way to easing the pressure on the manager and his squad as they finally seem to have found their feet, for a week or so at least.
Walsall's task has been made a little tougher as top scorer Danny Johnson will be forced to sit on the sidelines as he is unable to take on his parent club, a situation which will hopefully be resolved in January as the club look to conclude some welcome transfer activity.
Johnson, who is on a six-month loan from the Stags, has netted ten goals from seventeen first-team appearances making him the most potent player in the Saddlers squad.
On the injury front, the manager remains without the services of Joe Riley, Joss Labadie and Jack Earing, the trio remaining long-term absentees.
It's not all bad news, however, as striker Conor Wilkinson continues to make progress toward a return to action, the former Leyton Orient man was recently pictured taking part in training drills at Essington.
Opponents, Mansfield Town, arrive at the match in fine form having avoided defeat in their last six League Two games, with their most recent outing seeing them sneak past Barrow by a goal to nil.
In terms of Stags team news, midfielder Anthony Hartigan recently returned to training and is in contention after missing out with a dislocated shoulder.
Meanwhile, Stephen McLaughlin, Riley Harbottle and George Maris will be assessed closer to kick-off, whilst Will Swan returned to training this week and could feature should he be fully fit after illness.
FORM IN FIVE
Here is how the Saddlers and their opponents Mansfield Town have fared in their last five Sky Bet League Two games.
MANSFIELD TOWN
|
WALSALL |
DWWDW
| LLDWW
|
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Saddlers and Stags have met on sixty-three previous occasions, and it's Walsall who hold an overall head-to-head lead, having won twenty-nine times compared to Mansfield's twenty.
There have also been fourteen draws over the history of the fixture, a history which began at Fellows Park on Saturday, 11th December 1926 as the two sides faced off in a FA Cup - Second Round clash which saw the Saddlers score two goals without reply.
Their second meeting, which took place on Saturday, 26th November 1932, was also in the FA Cup and saw the Saddlers earn a place in the Second Preliminary Round thanks to a 4-1 win at Fellows Park.
THE LAST TIME WE MET
The most recent meeting between the Saddlers and Stags took place in front of 5,728 fans at the One Call Stadium on Saturday, 15th January 2022 and saw a Harry Charsley second-half double secure the points for the home side.
MATCH OFFICIALS
The EFL has confirmed that Sam Purkiss, who is based in London, will be the man in the middle, whilst Lewis Raper and Wayne Grunnill have been named assistant referees. Anthony Backhouse will act as Fourth Official.
GAMES OFFICIATED
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10
|
YELLOW
CARDS |
RED
CARDS |
28
| 2
|
PENALTIES AWARDED
|
3
|
CATCH THE MATCH
If you're not planning on going to the game you can catch the match via the club's in-house service - iFollow Walsall - which takes you through the highs and lows of every Saddlers game.
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