Rico Henry and Tom Bradshaw eyeing a festive return

Head coach Sean O'Driscoll has confirmed the pair are nearing full fitness after several weeks out with ankle injuries.

Bradshaw, the club's top scorer this term with 12 goals, has not featured since being forced off early during the 3-1 win over Shrewsbury on December 1 but is almost back in contention, after a scan revealed no serious damage to the joint.

Left-back Henry, meanwhile, has been absent for the past two games though O'Driscoll admitted he was "touch and go" to feature in Sunday's 2-0 win over Port Vale.

With Jordan Cook having netted twice off the bench, to earn victory in O'Driscoll's first game in charge, and Andy Taylor a dependable back-up to Henry, the new boss is likely to exercise caution over the return of two players key to the club's promotion hopes.

But with the Saddlers also hosting Peterborough at the Banks's Stadium on Monday, the chance of them returning over the festive period has increased with the head coach keen to utilise his squad.

"Tom has an outside chance (for Millwall)," said O'Driscoll. "His scan results were nothing serious in the sense that there was just a bit of wear and tear I suppose.

"Whether or not we risk him that's the big decision. Rico is the same. Nothing really serious that we think will be a long-term problem. It's just whether you risk him with two games in three days.

"Do you have your strongest team in one game and the weakest in another? Or do you try to balance it so you have a stronger side as you can in the two games?

"I think it's down to the medical staff and the players really.

"If the players don't feel they are right to play then it's problematic and you shouldn't go against that."

Walsall's League One fixture at Coventry, originally scheduled for January 9, has been rearranged for Tuesday January 12 (7.45pm) due to the club's FA Cup involvement.