BUSTLING front-man, Sam Parkin is hoping that the hectic schedule of matches which lies ahead will help him forge his way back into the starting line-up after spending much of the campaign so far on the bench.

"There are a lot of games coming up and hopefully it will be good for me as the manager will be more likely to look to change the team around and freshen things up," he said. "If I can get back in then hopefully I will be able to get a run of games under my belt.

"The enforced winter break has been frustrating for everyone. It's not as if we've had the time off, we've been in every day working hard preparing for games and the disappointment has only come at the last minute with matches being postponed.

"It means that we're going to have a busy February, but we are looking forward to it."

The Saddlers returned to action for the first time in a almost month last weekend as Brighton ran out 2-1 winners here at the Banks's Stadium.

Parkin was introduced into the action with 20 minutes to go as we looked to get something out of the game. "Going forward we looked quite dangerous," added Parkin. "We created our fair share of chances but the problem is that we are giving teams too many opportunities.

"From a personal point of view, it was good to get out there and get some action. We went with three up front and threw everything at them. On another day we would have got something out of the game, but on this occasion it wasn't to be.

"We have to pick ourselves up and be ready for the challenge that Norwich will present to us on Tuesday. It's another tough game, but we did well at Carrow Road earlier in the season and can take heart from that performance.

"One thing is certain and that is we need to have a big month or so in order to maintain our play-off challenge. There are plenty of points up for grabs and the chance for us to really make an impact."

Norwich City come to the Banks's Stadium on Tuesday evening after our original game was controversially postponed on Monday, December 28th. The subsequent rearranged fixture on Tuesday, January 12th also fell victim of the winter weather, so it's a case of third time lucky.