Dean Smith: Saddlers deserve to be at top

The two teams, who are first and second in the division, will lock horns at the Banks's Stadium tomorrow with the winner ending the day on top of the table.

And Smith believes his side as well as Justin Edinburgh's men deserve their place at the summit. "Being top of the league and competing for that place is exactly where you want to be," he said

"It's credit to ourselves, to Justin Edinburgh and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink that it's us, Gillingham and Burton that are all competing for that top spot – for many people we are surprise candidates.

"But we deserve to be up there with our results and performances.

"All three teams try to play football and Saturday will be a big test because Gillingham are becoming known for scoring late goals.

"There have been a few games where our supporters thought we were going top but they have scored late on.

"We've been late scorers as well so it just shows the fitness levels are very good."

Walsall also have the division's best defensive record despite last week's thrilling 4-4 draw at Colchester.

And while Smith is expecting a better defensive performance tomorrow, he was still pleased with his side's character in Essex.

"Colchester was very uncharacteristic – it was like my first few games in charge, 3-3 against Tranmere and 2-2 against Bristol Rovers," Smith said.

"It was very weird. But credit to them, they had a right good go at us.

"But the good thing about it was that every time a question was asked, the lads came up with an answer."

Smith also revealed Rico Henry and Neil Etheridge are in contention for the visit of the Gills.

"Henry will be fit – he trained Thursday and Friday," Smith said. "Etheridge has had the stitches in his knee out."