Dean Smith expecting Walsall trio to return

Top scorer Tom Bradshaw, winger Anthony Forde and defender James Chambers will all be back in training, having sat out Saturday's home defeat to Port Vale.

Bradshaw, who has netted 15 times this season, has missed the last three games with a hamstring strain.

And Smith hopes his return will give the Saddlers a boost as they prepare to tackle the Bantams.

With no midweek game, there is plenty of time to prepare for the trip to Valley Parade.

Smith admits he would have been in a happier mood had referee Andy D'Urso opted to award his team a first-half spot-kick in the 1-0 loss to Vale.

He said: "It would have been nicer to go into this week on a three-game winning run.

"But the whole game is decided on that penalty incident which was a poor one from the referee and unfortunately we have lost the game through that.

"It is frustrating and angers me we have not gone on to win a game we felt we should have.

"We saw some funny results in the league on Saturday, none stranger than ours. The referee, when he looks back on it, will feel he had a poor game."

Defeat ended a four-game unbeaten league run but the Saddlers remain just three points outside the League One play-off positions.

Smith also defended the decision to stick with a patient, passing style during the second half as his team chased the game, after it was queried whether they are lacking a Plan B.

The Saddlers cancelled the contract of targetman Mathieu Manset earlier this month and Vale boss Rob Page later claimed his side had looked to capitalise on the home side's lack of aerial presence.

When questioned on tactics, Smith said: "What is the alternative? Do you want us to go and lump it?

"There were calls to sign Mathieu Manset and we put balls into him and he did not win enough."