Mullen mulls over changes

Walsall manager Jimmy Mullen is facing a selection headache ahead of the trip to Bristol Rovers in League One.

The Saddlers travel to the West Country desperate to hit back, following their 2-0 home defeat to Leyton Orient.

Alex Nicholls and Mark Bradley are pushing for a start, after impressing for the Saddlers' reserves and the Welsh U21 team respectively.

Mullen said: "The players are more than capable of getting result, the major problem is getting everyone fit. If and when everyone is fit and I have everyone to pick from, it is a nice problem to have."

Midfielder Stephen Hughes is a doubt, with Mullen rating him as only 50/50, so Bradley, who set up the third goal in Wales' 3-0 in Romania on Tuesday, or Dwayne Mattis could fill the skipperís shoes.

Mattis has only just recovered from a knee injury sustained at the end of pre-season but, despite his lack of match fitness, Mullen will have no qualms of throwing him in at the deep end.

He said: "Mark will be nice and bright after a good result in Romania, a fantastic result it was as well. Mattis is an experienced player and if he is fit I am sure he will be more than happy to play - if Hughes is not fit."

Nicholls has also given Mullen a quandary after grabbing a goal for the reserves in their 1-1 draw at Lincoln on Tuesday.

The versatile 20-year-old, who can play on the right or up front, has played himself into the manager's thoughts and could feature. Defender Stephen Roberts is fit for the trip to the Memorial Stadium.

Mullen added: "Nicholls played very well and could have had another couple. He has done well wide right or up front and he will play anywhere, as long as he plays in the first team."