Walsall boss concerned over Coventry's pitch

The Saddlers boss has rated the injured pair as 50-50 to return for the Saddlers at the Ricoh Arena tomorrow.

But he admits the state of the playing surface at the Sky Blues home will come into consideration before any final decision is made.

The pitch, which struggled to recover from an Insomnia Gaming event held at the venue in late summer, has been lambasted by Coventry boss Steven Pressley and Smith too has his worries.

He said: "Nothing can be left to chance and, knowing the pitch at the Ricoh, that has to come into consideration as well.

"It wasn't great the last couple of games I saw and they will have the rugby on there soon, so it will take a bit of a beating."

Should both Mantom and Bradshaw miss out, Smith is confident they will be ready to return for the Johnstone's Paint Trophy Area semi-final at Tranmere next month.

Bradshaw has been struggling with an unusual hamstring injury, while Mantom is yet to start a game this term after suffering a knee ligament injury in pre-season.

Last term's Player of the Season has been limited four substitute appearances and has suffered several setbacks just when he looked like making a full recovery.

Smith admits the midfielder has found the time out tough, but insists he is making progress.

The Saddlers boss said: "He was a little bit down when he came in to see me on the weekend, but it was the right thing to do.

"We did want to go into a situation, where he wasn't right and ended up letting himself down and the team down.

"I think it was a brave decision to come and see me and tell me he was not feeling right as I know how down he feels about the injury.

"He does not like missing any games and it is the first injury he has had as a professional."