Port Vale vs Walsall: George Bennett's predicted XI

(3-1-4-2)

Tommy Simkin 

The Stoke City loanee has been the preferred choice between the sticks and has featured in 16 of Walsall's 17 games in League Two. 

David Okagbue

Okagbue has enjoyed a rich vein of form in recent weeks after consolidating his Republic of Ireland under-21 debut with a goal and two assists in his last three league games. 

Harry Williams 

Williams was restored to the defence for the past two games and will want to kick on after recovering from the concussion which kept him out for the majority of November. 

Taylor Allen 

Allen is the only Walsall man to have still played every minute in League Two this term. The defender extended his tally to four goals for the campaign by scoring directly from a corner against Notts County in midweek. 

Ryan Stirk 

Stirk has been an ever-present in League Two and returned to the line-up in midweek, after Brandon Comley suffered a fractured cheekbone on his first start of the season against Charlton in the FA Cup last week.

Connor Barrett 

Barrett continues to enjoy a stellar start to life in the Football League and has started every game for Walsall since his summer switch from non-league AFC Fylde. 

George Hall 

Hall opened his goal scoring account against Notts County on Tuesday on only his third league start of the campaign. It may be a tall order to expect him to start back-to-back games if Jamie Jellis is unable to pass a late fitness test. 

In which case, Jack Earing will be waiting in the wings for a rare start.

Charlie Lakin 

Lakin has arguably been the unsung hero for Walsall this term. He may not have hit the same numbers that he managed at Sutton United last term but his work ethic is exactly why Mat Sadler has put so much faith in him. 

Liam Gordon 

Gordon scored his first league goal of the season against Bromley last week and has played every minute in the league since mid-September.

Nathan Lowe 

Lowe scored a crucial third goal against Notts County and collected an assist to extend his season tally to 12 goals and five assists across all competitions. The teenager has netted eight times and set-up four more in his last 11 league appearances. 

Jamille Matt 

The experienced frontman has been key for Walsall this term and is just one shy of surpassing his tally of six from the previous campaign in all competitions.