Walsall v Notts County preview
Last Updated: February 15, 2013 2:03pm
Ben Purkiss: Faces late fitness test
Team news ahead of Saturday's League One clash between Walsall and Notts County at Banks's Stadium.
Ben Purkiss is a doubt for Walsall.
The defender was forced off just before half-time in last weekend's impressive 2-1 victory at Doncaster nursing a hamstring strain and will be assessed as late as possible ahead of the encounter at the Banks's Stadium.
Richard Taundry could come into contention having failed to feature at the Keepmoat Stadium, despite returning to training last week after a troublesome ankle injury.
Manager Dean Smith boasts no other injury or suspension concerns as the Saddlers aim to consolidate their push for a play-off place.
Smith's side have won eight of their last 10 games to shoot up to ninth in the League One table and are within seven points of the top six.
Notts County will have captain Neal Bishop back in contention.
Bishop has completed his three-match suspension for the red card he received during the 2-0 win at Portsmouth on January 29 and caretaker manager Chris Kiwomya must decide whether the skipper goes straight back into his starting line-up.
Another selection issue facing Kiwomya comes between the posts.
First-choice goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski has resumed training, three weeks after suffering a head injury during the 2-1 defeat at Leyton Orient.
Teenager Fabian Spiess has impressed in the Pole's absence, leaving Kiwomya and goalkeeping coach Kevin Pilkington with a dilemma.
Leicester striker Jacob Blyth could be added to the squad after joining the Magpies on a month-long loan deal this week.
Matches
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npower League 1
Table
npower League 1
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Doncaster Rovers | 46 | 84 |
| 2 | Bournemouth | 46 | 83 |
| 3 | Brentford | 46 | 79 |
| 4 | Yeovil Town | 46 | 77 |
| 5 | Sheffield United | 46 | 75 |
| 6 | Swindon Town | 46 | 74 |
| 7 | Leyton Orient | 46 | 71 |
| 8 | Milton Keynes Dons | 46 | 70 |
| 9 | Walsall | 46 | 68 |
| 10 | Crawley Town | 46 | 68 |
| 11 | Tranmere Rovers | 46 | 67 |
| 12 | Notts County | 46 | 65 |
| 13 | Crewe Alexandra | 46 | 64 |
| 14 | Preston North End | 46 | 59 |
| 15 | Coventry City | 46 | 55 |
| 16 | Shrewsbury Town | 46 | 55 |
| 17 | Carlisle United | 46 | 55 |
| 18 | Stevenage | 46 | 54 |
| 19 | Oldham Athletic | 46 | 51 |
| 20 | Colchester United | 46 | 51 |
| 21 | Scunthorpe United | 46 | 48 |
| 22 | Bury | 46 | 41 |
| 23 | Hartlepool United | 46 | 41 |
| 24 | Portsmouth | 46 | 32 |
