Dean Smith wants to play it calm and cool

The Saddlers chief claims his players are "prepared and energised" as they hunt a win to ease fears of sliding into a relegation scrap.

County, who dropped into the relegation zone after Leyton Orient's 1-0 win at Coventry last night, arrive at the Banks's just three points behind the slumping hosts.

But Smith is keen to focus on the game and not the circumstances surrounding it - as he insists it is no more important than any other.

"It is no bigger than the last one," he said. "Everyone keeps talking about it being a big game because they are below us and only three points behind.

"But they are all big games, each one you go into and we don't look at it any different to the next game.

"We know we have to start winning soon and if we play like we did against MK Dons and Sheffield United and at times against Chesterfield, we will win the game."

Smith might be able to point to positive performances in the last two home outings but his team have won just one of their last nine games at the Banks's - a run which has helped perpetuate their slip down the table.

Still, the manager believes one win is all it will take to change the momentum.

"Things can look very different with one result," he said. "You have to find the performance to get the result and we will be going all out to get that.

"Notts County are having a tough time. It will be interesting but they have some really experienced players and we know all about them.

"We will be ready. We won't be panicking and we won't be dwelling on what has gone on, we will just be prepared and energised for this game."

The Saddlers are continuing to assess the fitness of Tom Bradshaw as he battles to recover from a hamstring injury. Romaine Sawyers is back available after returning from international duty with St Kitts and Nevis, while Amadou Bakayoko is in contention after netting for the reserves in midweek.