Saturday’s game is the sort of thing that success inevitably brings. 8 points clear of the team occupying the first place after the slots and a gap starting to increase, it’s first versus second tomorrow, as Wycombe Wanderers arrive in town. This could be the opportunity to put a real marker down.

For the Saddlers, Darren Wrack has been making noises about wanting to be back in the squad as soon as possible, but this is surely far too early.

The injury doubt is Clayton Ince, whose suspension from FIFA has at least been overturned. Carlos Fangueiro is just starting recovery from his injury, Allan Picken is missing with his knee problem and Rene Gilmartin is out for a couple of weeks, after breaking down in the warm up before the reserve game in the week. Hector Sam is expected to be fit, despite being withdrawn from the Trinidad and Tobago international squad.

James Constable netted twice in that reserve game and will be pushing for a place in the starting line up and youngster Alex Nicholls will be looking to be included in the squad, following the young striker’s recovery from his broken leg.

That leaves a probable line up of:

Ince or Bossu, Westwood, Gerrard, Roper, Taylor, Wright, Dobson, Keates, Fox, Sam or Constable, Butler.

The bench is likely to be five out of Bossu, McKeown, Pead, Dann, Bedeau, Sam or Constable, Demontagnac and Kinsella.

What of Wycombe?

They haven’t reported any injury news as yet, so we don’t have much indication of the likely make up of Paul Lambert’s squad.

The former Scottish International has been making quite a mark in his first managerial job outside of Scotland so far, but, with the team in a spell of 5 games in 2 weeks, in the league and two cup competitions, the club’s limited resources are likely to be stretched. That’s what did for their promotion push last year, along with losing manager John Gorman, following his wife’s illness.

Top scorer Jermaine Easter, has been recovering from a thigh injury, but is expected to be fit, while Ian Stonebridge (hamstring) and Sergio Torres (knee) are also on their way back.

Dangermen are likely to be the aforementioned Easter, if he is fit, and Tommy Mooney, scourge of many a defence over the years and well know to Dicky Dosh from their days at Villa, where Mooney was a youngster.

Also likely to pop up with a long range effort on goal is ex Saddler Stefan Oakes, he of the number 50 on his shirt and the sending off that contributed to the 6 goal hiding we suffered at the hands of Coventry City.

Other names Walsall fans may have come across before include the former Swindon Australian keeper Frank Talia, and former Barnsley winger Kevin Betsy.

Predictions?

Wycombe are, of course, in second place and two points behind us.

Their away record this season is the third best in the division, having played 6, won 4 and lost 2, scoring 9 goals in the process.

Against that, of course, they face the meanest home defence in the country, with the Saddlers’ record of played 6 won 6, conceded 0.

A tough one to call, this, but I think I’d go for a narrow home win. I’m not sure that we won’t have to score twice to do that, however, as it will be increasingly difficult to maintain that record of clean sheets.