Simeon Jackson is poised for a timely Walsall return

The Saddlers are facing a striker crisis with Amadou Bakayoko ruled out of the trip to Priestfield after being sent off in Saturday's 3-1 win over rivals Shrewsbury.

Five-goal Jackson was forced to sit out that victory – Walsall's third in as many games – with a pelvis injury.

But Whitney expects the Canadian international to recover in time to take on Justin Edinburgh's side.

"Simeon first felt a problem with his pelvis in the last home game against Millwall," the boss said.

"He went on international duty with Canada. He trained over there, missed one game but played the other.

"In hindsight, he possibly shouldn't have. But you can't stop a player from wanting to play football.

"He came back a little bit tight and I couldn't risk him. But it's worked out well because Ama (Bakayoko) will now be missing on Tuesday.

"Simeon is still a little bit tight but it was important not to gamble on him. We are hopeful he will be back."

Bakayoko was dismissed on Saturday when he received a second yellow card for jumping into the crowd to celebrate Erhun Oztumer's late winner.

And Whitney believes referees should be free to use common sense in those situations.

"There is no grey area with officials any more – they are assessed and have to apply the rules," he said.

"In my day they would use a little bit of common sense. They would chat to the players and say 'be careful, next time I'll send you off'.

"That is the way football has become but I feel sorry for referees because it has become very difficult for them."

Walsall have now lost just once in their last seven outings, with Whitney believing his players are being rewarded for their hard work.

"We are getting the rewards for the patience we have shown and the effort we are putting in in training," he added. "We are controlling periods of the game for longer."

Walsall will join non-league Stourbridge and Kidderminster in the FA Cup first-round draw tonight (7pm).