Walsall face Brentford in the third round...
Sean O’Driscoll admits his players are looking forward to facing former boss Dean Smith when Walsall visit Brentford in the FA Cup third round.Bees boss Smith spent almost five years with the Saddlers before leaving to join the Championship play-off hopefuls at the end of November.
And O’Driscoll says the squad are relishing Saturday’s reunion – but admits he already has one eye on Tuesday’s League One clash with Coventry.
“In perspective, Coventry on Tuesday night is probably a more important game,” said O’Driscoll.
“The FA Cup is there to be enjoyed.
“I think the players will enjoy pitting their wits against someone that they worked with for three or four years.
“In that sense, that’s what they’re looking forward to.
“From a point of view of the team, it’s an opportunity to maybe get Tom Bradshaw and Rico Henry back in the squad with an important game coming up against Coventry on Tuesday.”
Bradshaw and Henry each played 45 minutes for the Saddlers reserves against Shrewsbury in midweek as they continue their recovery from ankle injuries.
Midfielder Isaiah Osbourne (knee) will not feature this weekend. Walsall have no other injury concerns.