The Saddlers visit Shrewsbury tonight...
In-form striker Tom Bradshaw is relishing his first return to former club Shrewsbury.The 23-year-old striker spent five years with the Shrews, scoring 17 goals in 98 appearances, before moving to Walsall in June 2014.
He faced his old employers in the FA Cup last season and netted a brace in a 2-2 home draw, although he missed the replay through injury.
And ahead of Walsall’s match at Shrewsbury tonight, Bradshaw admits he is looking forward to visiting the Greenhous Meadow for the first time as an opposition player.
“It was special for me last year, my first time playing against them since I was there and to get two goals made it even more special for me personally,” said Bradshaw.
“To be going back to the stadium where I played for five years, it’s going to be a great day.
“I’m sure I’ll get a few jeers here and there but I’m excited for the whole experience.
“All of my family are from Shrewsbury, and some of my friends are from there too, and a lot of them will be at the game tonight.
“It’ll be great to go back there, see a few old faces and hopefully I can get a few more goals and help us get the three points.”
The Saddlers can go joint top of League One with a victory this evening – but Bradshaw insists the squad will be treating the match just like any other.
“We’ll go into it with the exact same mind-set that we’ve had all season,” said Bradshaw, who has scored in each of his last three appearances.
“It’s an opportunity for us to go joint top but we’ve handled that pressure absolute fine all season.
“We’ve beaten Gillingham, Coventry and Burton – they were all top at the time – so there’ll be no more pressure than there was in any of those games.
“We’ll just go into it with a positive mind-set and hopefully we’ll get the three points.”
Bradshaw is one goal away from 50 career goals – and he would love to celebrate his half-century at his old stomping ground tonight.
“That would be a special milestone to reach,” he said.
“The majority of my goals have come at Walsall but it’d be great to get the winning goal tonight and celebrate my 50th goal at my old stadium."