Dean Smith ponders change for Walsall trip

Smith insists he will remain patient with Mantom, who has missed the Saddlers' last two games with a recurrence of the knee problem that has dogged him since the summer.

And the Banks's Stadium boss, who is hoping for positive news on Mantom and leading scorer Tom Bradshaw (hamstring) ahead of the weekend, is considering shaking up his side after they looked jaded in Tuesday's FA Cup loss at Shrewsbury.

Smith said: "We have had four games in a short period of time and we have done ever so well in them.

"Maybe the one on Tuesday was a game too far for some of them. I will certainly have to look at changes for Saturday.

"Sam is injured slightly again. I wanted to start him on Tuesday and get him back into business but we couldn't and it will be the softly, softly approach with him.

"Hopefully he will be back to either be on the bench or to start on Saturday.

"Tom Bradshaw is a little bit of an unknown at the moment with his injury."

"We are just trying to nurse him back."

Mantom is yet to start a game this season and has made just four substitute appearances.

And Smith admitted the persistent knee ligament problem is continuing to baffle the player and the club's medical staff.

"It has been a concern from the moment I was told about it and it is a concern he keeps feeling it every now and again," said Smith.

"He has done ever so well when he has come on – I thought he was excellent for the 20 minutes he played against Sheffield United."

last week."

"But he came to see me on Friday and said he was feeling it again and could he rest with his eye on Shrewsbury. Unfortunately it just wasn't good enough.

"I was speaking to the doctor and Jon Whitney (physio) about it and they worry whether they have missed something, but they have back-tracked and covered all the bases.

"It is just one of those rare ones which keeps coming back."