Walsall's Jon Macken to stake claim

Jon Macken today backed Alex Nicholls to recover from his first-ever red card - but is out to make him pay for his rush of blood.

Nicholls was sent off for kicking Tommy Elphick in Walsall's 2-1 defeat at Brighton on Saturday and is suspended for three games.

Macken made a goalscoring debut as a late substitute as he bagged the Saddlers' consolation in injury time.

And the 32-year-old reckons Nicholls will learn from his mistake.

"I'm sure he will never do it again," said Macken.

"It's up to me to stay in the team, if selected, and make it difficult for everyone else.

"That's what I've tried to do my entire career."