RECENT signing, Jon Macken is closing in on a return to action.

The experienced front-man has been laid low with a niggling calf problem that he picked up shortly after joining the club, but is hoping to make his Saddlers' debut soon. "I'm enjoying it at the club, it's just been disappointing to have picked up a bit of a calf strain," he said. "Thankfully that is clearing up now and I am ready to go.

"I just want to get out there and play. I'm looking forward to getting back into the swing of things and getting the buzz back again.

"There was no need for the gaffer to sell the club to me, it sells itself. I have been impressed with the ambition here; everyone is determined to achieve things and that is the kind of environment I want to be in.

"I thought that the lads performed very well against Plymouth Argyle in our last game. We created chances and limited Plymouth, who are a good side, to only a few opportunities.

"We need to take this into the next game at Brighton. It's going to be tough, but every game is tough. If we can put in the kind of display that earned us victory over Plymouth it will bode well."

There is good competition for places up front now with Reuben Reid making an impressive debut in the last game, Alex Nicholls looking increasingly lively, youngster Will Grigg pushing for a place and, of course, skipper, Darren Byfield hoping to return from the Achilles injury that laid him low against The Pilgrims.

"It's always good to have competition," continued Macken. "It means that you are constantly pushing yourself and can't afford to rest on your laurels.

"Every player needs to be kept on their toes and from what I have seen, we have some very capable strikers here. There is a good mix of youth and experience throughout the squad and we certainly have the ability to improve upon last season's tenth place finish.

"Having enjoyed back-to-back wins, the confidence is high and the lads can't wait for the next game to come around."

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