Walsall v Stevenage preview

Team news ahead of the New Year's Day clash between Walsall and Stevenage at the Bescot Stadium.

Febian Brandy will miss Tuesday's League One encounter due to suspension. The striker picked up his fifth booking of the season in the 2-1 defeat at Leyton Orient on Saturday, ruling him out of the game against Gary Smith's side. George Bowerman was a second-half substitute against the O's and he will be first in line to start in Brandy's absence. Belgian midfielder Florent Cuvelier is also pushing for his first start since October following a hamstring problem, after three consecutive substitute appearances. Defender Dean Holden is likely to miss out again with an ankle injury, as Ashley Hemmings continues as his replacement in manager Dean Smith's squad. The Saddlers saw an upturn in fortunes come to an end with the defeat at the Matchroom Stadium, leaving them in 16th place in the League One table. Stevenage are almost at full strength. Boss Gary Smith was expected to shake his side up for the visit of Notts County at the weekend but the game was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. The extra rest will ensures the Boro manager has an almost fully-fit squad to choose from as he looks to get the club's season back on track following one win in seven games. Defender Jon Ashton, who has been sidelined since September with an Achilles injury, is the only definite absentee. Winger Filipe Morais played an hour on his return from an ankle injury against the Sky Blues and is hoping to complete the 90 minutes at the Banks' Stadium.